RN Salary in Alabama: $77,080 Median (May 2025)
Registered nurses in Alabama earn a median of $77,080 per year — $37.06 an hour — $20,470 below the national median of $97,550, ranking #51 of 51 states and D.C. The middle 80% of Alabama RNs earn between $58,150 and $98,910. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — the federal wage survey, not job-board self-reports.
Alabama RN pay range (May 2025)
Dark band = middle 50% of Alabama RNs (25th–75th percentile). Light band = middle 80%. New grads typically start near the left edge.
Compare Alabama With Any State
Weighing a move, travel contracts, or a compact-state license? Put Alabama side by side with any other market.
| May 2025 BLS | Alabama | Texas |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $77,080 | $95,970 |
| Median hourly wage | $37.06/hr | $46.14/hr |
| Entry-level range (10th pct) | $58,150 | $67,120 |
| Experienced (75th pct) | $83,380 | $105,100 |
| Top earners (90th pct) | $98,910 | $127,950 |
| RNs employed | 54,340 | 271,380 |
The path to this salary runs through the NCLEX
Alabama has 96 board-approved nursing programs across 65 schools — compare them by real first-time NCLEX pass rates. Then check what the degree costs against these wages with your own numbers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Alabama?
RNs in Alabama earn a median of $77,080 per year — $37.06 per hour — $20,470 below the national median of $97,550 (BLS May 2025). That ranks Alabama #51 of 51 states and D.C. by median RN pay.
What is a starting RN salary in Alabama?
New nurses generally start near the lower percentiles: in Alabama, the 10th percentile is $58,150 and the 25th percentile is $63,500. Most RNs move toward the $77,080 median within their first several years.
What do the highest-paid RNs in Alabama earn?
The top 10% of RNs in Alabama earn above $98,910 per year — typically nurses with specialty certifications, leadership roles, or high-differential schedules.
How many RNs work in Alabama?
54,340 registered nurses are employed in Alabama per the BLS May 2025 estimates.