Highest-paying jobs in Alabama
Answer
Nurse Anesthetists have the highest median pay in Alabama, $190,300 a year, followed by chief executives ($166,420) and architectural and engineering managers ($162,350). The median for all jobs in Alabama is $45,670, 46th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 34th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $45,670
- 46th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $21.96
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 88.8
- Median worth $51,417 at US prices (34th)
- Jobs
- 2,113,660
- 655 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Alabama, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Alabama are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Alabama
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nurse Anesthetists | $190,300 | $91.49 | 1,810 | $236,590 | Master's degree |
| 2 | Chief Executives | $166,420 | $80.01 | 810 | $213,990 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $162,350 | $78.06 | 3,790 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Financial Managers | $140,500 | $67.55 | 7,200 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $138,670 | $66.67 | 7,670 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $136,990 | $65.86 | 680 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 7 | Chemical Engineers | $135,030 | $64.92 | 600 | $125,040 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | Pharmacists | $134,630 | $64.72 | 5,400 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 9 | Lawyers | $131,970 | $63.45 | 6,730 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 10 | Computer Network Architects | $130,810 | $62.89 | 4,200 | $134,050 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Purchasing Managers | $130,710 | $62.84 | 1,520 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Aerospace Engineers | $127,540 | $61.32 | 5,820 | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Electrical Engineers | $125,630 | $60.40 | 4,600 | $120,630 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Sales Managers | $124,040 | $59.63 | 4,670 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Information Security Analysts | $122,730 | $59.00 | 4,010 | $129,180 | Bachelor's degree |
| 16 | Software Developers | $122,540 | $58.91 | 17,450 | $135,980 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Industrial Production Managers | $122,520 | $58.90 | 3,620 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Facilities Managers | $121,010 | $58.18 | 940 | $106,660 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $120,720 | $58.04 | 1,940 | $130,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Marketing Managers | $120,160 | $57.77 | 1,540 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $118,320 | $56.88 | 1,250 | $107,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 22 | Computer and Information Research Scientists | $117,870 | $56.67 | 570 | $140,300 | Master's degree |
| 23 | Operations Research Analysts | $115,630 | $55.59 | 550 | $88,940 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Administrative Services Managers | $114,550 | $55.07 | 860 | $114,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| 25 | Human Resources Managers | $113,210 | $54.43 | 2,160 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Alabama without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $118,320 | $56.88 | 1,250 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | Transportation Inspectors | $108,140 | $51.99 | 670 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Power Plant Operators | $107,080 | $51.48 | 790 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $92,030 | $44.24 | 2,730 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $80,330 | $38.62 | 3,280 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators | $79,710 | $38.32 | 4,040 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Locomotive Engineers | $77,600 | $37.31 | 590 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $77,070 | $37.05 | 2,410 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $75,970 | $36.53 | 1,900 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $74,830 | $35.98 | 13,390 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,060 | $35.13 | 20,670 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants | $69,450 | $33.39 | 2,880 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Lodging Managers | $69,420 | $33.38 | 570 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $66,290 | $31.87 | 1,340 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Insurance Sales Agents | $65,510 | $31.50 | 7,430 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Alabama
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons | 60,880 | $30,040 | $14.44 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Registered Nurses | 54,340 | $77,080 | $37.06 | Bachelor's degree |
| 3 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 53,280 | $42,700 | $20.53 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 46,580 | $34,290 | $16.48 | No formal educational credential |
| 5 | Cashiers | 46,420 | $28,250 | $13.58 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 45,050 | $41,630 | $20.01 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 41,460 | $23,700 | $11.40 | No formal educational credential |
| 8 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 36,650 | $52,120 | $25.06 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 9 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 36,140 | $36,670 | $17.63 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Customer Service Representatives | 33,290 | $38,400 | $18.46 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | General and Operations Managers | 30,170 | $111,790 | $53.75 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Waiters and Waitresses | 28,760 | $26,840 | $12.91 | No formal educational credential |
| 13 | Cooks, Fast Food | 26,740 | $27,870 | $13.40 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Nursing Assistants | 25,250 | $34,140 | $16.41 | Postsecondary nondegree award |
| 15 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 25,110 | $30,620 | $14.72 | No formal educational credential |
| 16 | First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers | 25,020 | $44,860 | $21.57 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 17 | Accountants and Auditors | 24,300 | $74,880 | $36.00 | Bachelor's degree |
| 18 | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | 22,030 | $61,380 | — | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 20,930 | $27,840 | $13.39 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 20 | First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | 20,670 | $73,060 | $35.13 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Alabama
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Logging Equipment Operators | 6.5× | 1,860 | $47,810 |
| 2 | Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining | 6.4× | 510 | $60,020 |
| 3 | Aerospace Engineers | 6.3× | 5,820 | $127,540 |
| 4 | Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders | 5.6× | 1,090 | $50,600 |
| 5 | Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | 5.5× | 1,250 | $54,260 |
| 6 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | 5.5× | 2,520 | — |
| 7 | Extruding and Forming Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Synthetic and Glass Fibers | 5.3× | 930 | $60,100 |
| 8 | Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | 5.0× | 1,710 | $53,380 |
| 9 | Foundry Mold and Coremakers | 4.9× | 850 | $51,040 |
| 10 | Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | 4.6× | 9,140 | $31,080 |
| 11 | Textile Knitting and Weaving Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | 4.3× | 770 | $37,340 |
| 12 | Machine Feeders and Offbearers | 3.8× | 2,160 | $38,810 |
What 130 careers pay in Alabama
Click a heading to sort
| Cardiologist | $519,480 | 10 | $584,849 | $496,010 | 130 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dermatologist | $394,550 | 14 | $444,198 | $328,730 | — |
| Anesthesiologist | $392,350 | 18 | $441,721 | $391,490 | — |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $324,570 | 23 | $365,412 | $358,550 | 380 |
| Orthodontist | $253,670 | 14 | $285,590 | $289,140 | — |
| OB-GYN | $210,380 | 35 | $236,853 | $292,910 | 120 |
| Pediatrician | $209,490 | 28 | $235,851 | $210,040 | — |
| CRNA | $190,300 | 41 | $214,246 | $236,590 | 1,810 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | 17 | $163,347 | $136,570 | 460 |
| Airline Pilot | $136,990 | 30 | $154,228 | $232,140 | 360 |
| Computer Engineer | $136,990 | 14 | $154,228 | $161,740 | 680 |
| Actuary | $136,950 | 5 | $154,183 | $130,000 | 190 |
| Chemical Engineer | $135,030 | 3 | $152,021 | $125,040 | 600 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | 46 | $151,571 | $140,910 | 5,400 |
| Lawyer | $131,970 | 26 | $148,576 | $159,670 | 6,730 |
| Network Engineer | $130,810 | 26 | $147,270 | $134,050 | 4,200 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $127,540 | 27 | $143,589 | $134,960 | 5,820 |
| Electrical Engineer | $125,630 | 11 | $141,439 | $120,630 | 4,600 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $122,730 | 22 | $138,174 | $129,180 | 4,010 |
| Software Engineer | $122,540 | 34 | $137,960 | $135,980 | 17,450 |
| Marketing Manager | $120,160 | 42 | $135,280 | $166,790 | 1,540 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $114,960 | 31 | $129,426 | $148,080 | 240 |
| HR Manager | $113,210 | 48 | $127,456 | $149,280 | 2,160 |
| Operations Manager | $111,790 | 17 | $125,857 | $105,770 | 30,170 |
| Business Analyst | $108,040 | 7 | $121,635 | $101,860 | 4,900 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | 51 | $119,057 | $132,300 | 5,640 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | 41 | $118,922 | $130,100 | 1,020 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | 51 | $118,168 | $135,880 | 930 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $103,700 | 24 | $116,749 | $109,910 | 170 |
| Data Scientist | $103,120 | 24 | $116,096 | $120,230 | 1,740 |
| Commercial Pilot | $101,420 | 40 | $114,182 | $123,220 | 780 |
| Project Manager | $100,820 | 19 | $113,507 | $102,320 | 3,190 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $100,230 | 32 | $112,842 | $104,110 | — |
| Civil Engineer | $99,010 | 24 | $111,469 | $100,840 | 5,370 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $97,790 | 50 | $110,095 | $123,860 | 10,360 |
| School Principal | $97,480 | 40 | $109,746 | $105,870 | 3,020 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | 46 | $109,532 | $102,760 | 3,040 |
| Construction Manager | $96,960 | 48 | $109,161 | $114,990 | 8,560 |
| Architect | $95,990 | 35 | $108,069 | $99,280 | 990 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | 38 | $105,885 | $100,330 | 1,500 |
| Lineman | $92,030 | 35 | $103,611 | $95,320 | 2,730 |
| Financial Analyst | $91,290 | 36 | $102,777 | $102,740 | 3,410 |
| Psychologist | $90,800 | 30 | $102,226 | $100,580 | 260 |
| Radiation Therapist | $87,330 | 42 | $98,319 | $105,310 | 120 |
| Audiologist | $86,300 | 39 | $97,160 | $95,780 | 190 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $85,720 | 33 | $96,507 | $109,370 | 30 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $82,260 | 15 | $92,611 | $79,870 | 4,310 |
| Meteorologist | $81,080 | 38 | $91,283 | $99,070 | 340 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | 19 | $91,181 | $79,200 | 430 |
| Claims Adjuster | $79,710 | 14 | $89,740 | $78,000 | 4,040 |
| MRI Technician | $78,890 | 46 | $88,817 | $95,480 | 490 |
| Financial Advisor | $77,990 | 41 | $87,804 | $105,070 | 2,540 |
| Registered Nurse | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $77,080 | 51 | $86,779 | $97,550 | 54,340 |
| School Psychologist | $75,060 | 40 | $84,505 | $95,990 | 370 |
| Accountant | $74,880 | 44 | $84,302 | $83,680 | 24,300 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $74,290 | 26 | $83,638 | $76,780 | 290 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $73,660 | 49 | $82,929 | $97,870 | 2,060 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $68,180 | 51 | $76,759 | $96,590 | 1,510 |
| Court Reporter | $67,340 | 18 | $75,814 | $72,420 | 350 |
| Loan Officer | $66,710 | 39 | $75,104 | $76,690 | 5,050 |
| Detective | $66,290 | 45 | $74,632 | $93,790 | 1,340 |
| Nutritionist | $66,190 | 43 | $74,519 | $76,400 | 780 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | 50 | $74,474 | $82,280 | 2,350 |
| Insurance Agent | $65,510 | 17 | $73,753 | $62,280 | 7,430 |
| HR Specialist | $64,940 | 45 | $73,112 | $75,940 | 11,080 |
| Librarian | $64,650 | 23 | $72,785 | $68,270 | 2,750 |
| TSA Officer | $63,770 | 24 | $71,794 | $66,770 | 260 |
| Chef | $62,400 | 23 | $70,252 | $62,470 | 1,000 |
| High School Teacher | $61,990 | 33 | $69,790 | $72,040 | 15,880 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,430 | 45 | $69,160 | $68,380 | 2,700 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $61,380 | 31 | $69,104 | $63,970 | 22,030 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | 50 | $68,856 | $98,100 | 3,170 |
| Interior Designer | $61,050 | 37 | $68,732 | $67,190 | 620 |
| Real Estate Agent | $60,890 | 14 | $68,552 | $52,830 | 1,580 |
| Crane Operator | $60,790 | 40 | $68,439 | $68,080 | 1,280 |
| Radiology Technician | $60,700 | 50 | $68,338 | $80,110 | 3,500 |
| School Counselor | $59,570 | 36 | $67,066 | $64,330 | 4,410 |
| Forensic Scientist | $59,560 | 35 | $67,055 | $72,060 | 160 |
| Plumber | $58,670 | 40 | $66,053 | $63,800 | 6,950 |
| Mail Carrier | $57,700 | 47 | $64,961 | $60,550 | 5,840 |
| LPN | $57,030 | 47 | $64,206 | $64,400 | 11,580 |
| Electrician | $55,690 | 50 | $62,698 | $63,190 | 10,900 |
| Judge | $52,850 | 39 | $59,500 | $153,990 | 560 |
| Truck Driver | $52,120 | 43 | $58,678 | $58,640 | 36,650 |
| UX Designer | $51,860 | 45 | $58,386 | $104,000 | 130 |
| Police Officer | $51,270 | 48 | $57,722 | $76,210 | 11,710 |
| Graphic Designer | $51,070 | 43 | $57,496 | $62,960 | 1,760 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $50,470 | 50 | $56,821 | $61,770 | 6,130 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $49,990 | 39 | $56,280 | $66,940 | 190 |
| IT Support Specialist | $49,630 | 49 | $55,875 | $61,860 | 7,360 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $49,440 | 48 | $55,661 | $62,930 | 7,250 |
| Surgical Technician | $49,420 | 50 | $55,639 | $64,650 | 2,480 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,930 | 43 | $55,087 | $58,450 | 600 |
| Paramedic | $48,540 | 49 | $54,648 | $60,600 | 1,700 |
| Welder | $48,490 | 48 | $54,592 | $53,750 | 12,450 |
| HVAC Technician | $48,370 | 50 | $54,457 | $61,010 | 8,260 |
| Carpenter | $48,220 | 48 | $54,288 | $60,580 | 5,560 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $47,650 | 47 | $53,646 | $74,310 | 930 |
| Firefighter | $47,600 | 35 | $53,590 | $59,280 | 7,260 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $47,310 | 49 | $53,263 | $59,350 | — |
| Paralegal | $47,260 | 50 | $53,207 | $62,890 | 5,700 |
| Athletic Trainer | $46,940 | 50 | $52,847 | $62,520 | 840 |
| Private Investigator | $46,810 | 34 | $52,700 | $51,220 | 530 |
| Correctional Officer | $46,660 | 43 | $52,531 | $58,940 | 4,970 |
| Garbage Collector | $46,240 | 36 | $52,059 | $49,690 | 2,790 |
| Auto Mechanic | $45,640 | 47 | $51,383 | $50,620 | 9,040 |
| Mortician | $44,930 | 41 | $50,584 | $55,010 | 420 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $43,810 | 49 | $49,323 | $51,140 | 2,330 |
| Esthetician | $39,260 | 36 | $44,200 | $45,330 | 590 |
| Personal Trainer | $39,180 | 41 | $44,110 | $47,160 | 2,680 |
| Dental Assistant | $39,080 | 48 | $43,998 | $48,070 | 3,740 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $39,030 | 49 | $43,941 | $45,750 | 8,510 |
| EMT | $37,810 | 39 | $42,568 | $44,470 | 2,020 |
| Bus Driver | $37,700 | 50 | $42,444 | $59,050 | 960 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,220 | 49 | $41,904 | $45,230 | 2,350 |
| Construction Worker | $36,900 | 51 | $41,543 | $47,120 | 18,400 |
| Vet Tech | $36,590 | 49 | $41,194 | $47,380 | 1,880 |
| Medical Assistant | $36,100 | 50 | $40,643 | $45,690 | 13,300 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $35,800 | 50 | $40,305 | $47,700 | 1,000 |
| CNA | $34,140 | 49 | $38,436 | $42,260 | 25,250 |
| Nail Technician | $30,300 | 43 | $34,113 | $35,760 | 920 |
| Cosmetologist | $29,150 | 47 | $32,818 | $35,790 | 3,300 |
| Barber | $29,120 | 33 | $32,784 | $38,210 | — |
| Bartender | $27,980 | 35 | $31,501 | $34,340 | 6,560 |
| Substitute Teacher | $25,340 | 47 | $28,529 | $41,670 | 9,290 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.