Registered Nurse salary in Alabama
Registered Nurses in Alabama earn a median of $77,080 a year ($37.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 54,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,910 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $97,550. Alabama ranks 51st of 51 states for registered nurses pay. There are 26 registered nurses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $77,020, close to the median.
Pay range for registered nurses in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,150 | $27.96 |
| 25th percentile | $63,500 | $30.53 |
| Median | $77,080 | $37.06 |
| 75th percentile | $83,380 | $40.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,910 | $47.56 |
| Average (mean) | $77,020 | $37.03 |
Half of registered nurses 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 | $6,423.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,211.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,964.62 |
| Weekly | $1,482.31 |
| Hourly | $37.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Registered Nurse salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $82,500 | 2,790 |
| Montgomery, AL | $79,570 | 3,990 |
| Mobile, AL | $79,490 | 5,260 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $79,450 | 1,770 |
| Birmingham, AL | $78,680 | 17,850 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $78,040 | 1,430 |
| Gadsden, AL | $77,810 | 1,210 |
| Huntsville, AL | $77,090 | 6,800 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $75,250 | 2,590 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $72,730 | 990 |
| Decatur, AL | $68,320 | 960 |
| Dothan, AL | $67,430 | 1,940 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $66,360 | 1,320 |
Highest-paying states for registered nurses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $140,270 |
| Hawaii | $136,320 |
| Oregon | $129,010 |
| Washington | $124,200 |
| Alaska | $109,480 |
| New York | $109,440 |
| New Jersey | $106,500 |
| Massachusetts | $104,550 |
| Nevada | $103,670 |
| Connecticut | $102,740 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $105,750 | $50.84 |
| Pharmacist | $134,630 | $64.72 |
| Physicians, All Other | $272,610 | $131.06 |
| Dental Hygienist | $61,160 | $29.41 |
| Physical Therapist | $97,290 | $46.77 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $66,150 | $31.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $73,660 | $35.41 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $190,300 | $91.49 |
| Occupational Therapist | $94,050 | $45.21 |
| Veterinarian | $105,630 | $50.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $104,960 | $50.46 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $66,190 | $31.82 |
| Optometrist | $145,090 | $69.75 |
| Chiropractor | $80,990 | $38.94 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1141. 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 registered nurse make in Alabama?
The median salary for registered nurses in Alabama is $77,080 a year, or $37.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid registered nurses make in Alabama?
The top 10% of registered nurses in Alabama earn at least $98,910 a year. The top 25% earn $83,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for registered nurses in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,150 a year, and a quarter of registered nurses earn $63,500 or less.
How many registered nurses work in Alabama?
About 54,340 registered nurses are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.