Nursing Assistant salary in Alabama
Nursing Assistants in Alabama earn a median of $34,140 a year ($16.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 25,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,680 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $42,260. Alabama ranks 49th of 51 states for nursing assistants pay. There are 12 nursing assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,670, close to the median.
Pay range for nursing assistants in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 25th percentile | $30,060 | $14.45 |
| Median | $34,140 | $16.41 |
| 75th percentile | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,680 | $18.59 |
| Average (mean) | $33,670 | $16.19 |
Half of nursing assistants earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,845 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,422.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,313.08 |
| Weekly | $656.54 |
| Hourly | $16.41 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Nursing Assistant salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Decatur, AL | $36,280 | 500 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $35,530 | 620 |
| Birmingham, AL | $35,470 | 6,380 |
| Huntsville, AL | $35,210 | 2,660 |
| Montgomery, AL | $35,210 | 1,940 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $34,970 | 1,130 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $34,150 | 860 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $32,860 | 1,390 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $31,940 | 700 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $31,920 | 660 |
| Mobile, AL | $30,880 | 2,100 |
| Gadsden, AL | $30,440 | 540 |
| Dothan, AL | $29,830 | 930 |
Highest-paying states for nursing assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $49,830 |
| Washington | $49,180 |
| New York | $48,590 |
| New Hampshire | $47,870 |
| District of Columbia | $47,700 |
| California | $47,630 |
| Colorado | $47,380 |
| Vermont | $47,130 |
| Maine | $47,070 |
| New Jersey | $46,830 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Psychiatric Aide | $27,150 | $13.05 |
| Orderly | $31,310 | $15.05 |
| Medical Assistant | $36,100 | $17.35 |
| Dental Assistant | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $61,430 | $29.53 |
| Phlebotomist | $37,220 | $17.89 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $62,250 | $29.93 |
| Physical Therapist Aide | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $36,760 | $17.68 |
| Massage Therapist | $48,930 | $23.52 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,260 | $17.44 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a nursing assistant make in Alabama?
The median salary for nursing assistants in Alabama is $34,140 a year, or $16.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid nursing assistants make in Alabama?
The top 10% of nursing assistants in Alabama earn at least $38,680 a year. The top 25% earn $36,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for nursing assistants in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,330 a year, and a quarter of nursing assistants earn $30,060 or less.
How many nursing assistants work in Alabama?
About 25,250 nursing assistants are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.