New registered nurses in Alabama typically earn around $58,150, which is the 10th percentile wage for the role. The 25th percentile sits at $63,500, so most candidates with even a modest amount of clinical experience will expect offers above the entry-level floor. When budgeting for a new graduate hire, plan for somewhere in the $58,150 to $63,500 range depending on the clinical setting and any specialty training the candidate brings.
Registered nurse salary in Alabama (2026)
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The average registered nurse salary in Alabama is $77,020 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $77,080 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Alabama employs 54,340 registered nurses, and the $60 gap between the mean and median signals real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior registered nurses in Alabama typically earn around $58,150, while senior specialists reach and exceed the $98,910 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a registered nurse hire in Alabama, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $77,080 |
Average Annual Salary | $77,020 |
vs. National Average | 24.1% below the national mean of $101,420 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 54,340 employed registered nurses across Alabama.
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Registered nurse salary percentiles in Alabama
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $58,150 |
25th Percentile | $63,500 |
75th Percentile | $83,380 |
90th Percentile | $98,910 |
Employers hiring entry-level registered nurses in Alabama should expect offers starting around $58,150, while experienced specialists typically command $98,910 or more. Setting your offer below $63,500 will likely exclude most candidates with meaningful clinical experience, so use the 25th percentile as a floor when targeting mid-career talent.
Registered nurse salary by city in Alabama
City | Average Annual Salary |
Montgomery | $86,590 |
Birmingham | $78,940 |
Tuscaloosa | $78,840 |
Mobile | $78,800 |
Huntsville | $75,210 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to budget for a registered nurse hire in Alabama. Montgomery commands the highest average at $86,590, which is $11,380 above Huntsville's average of $75,210. If your facility sits in a lower-paying market, candidates with offers from Montgomery-area employers may expect you to close that gap to compete.
How Alabama compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Alabama | $77,020 | $77,080 |
Georgia | $95,080 | $93,550 |
Florida | $90,650 | $84,190 |
South Carolina | $87,670 | $82,360 |
Tennessee | $85,390 | $81,500 |
Mississippi | $78,950 | $77,090 |
Alabama is a cost-effective market for registered nurse hiring relative to most neighboring states, which matters when budgeting headcount across a multi-state operation. Every comparison state except Mississippi posts a higher average, with Georgia reaching $95,080 versus Alabama's $77,020. Employers recruiting across state lines should account for this gap, as candidates relocating from Georgia or Florida may arrive with higher salary expectations.
Frequently asked questions about registered nurse salary in Alabama
How much does a new RN make in Alabama?
How does Alabama compare to other states for registered nurse salary?
Alabama's average registered nurse salary of $77,020 sits below every neighboring comparison state except Mississippi, which averages $78,950. Georgia leads the regional group at $95,080, meaning Alabama employers have a meaningful cost advantage when hiring locally. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from Georgia or Florida employers, expect to address that gap directly in your compensation conversation.
Registered Nurse salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 29-1141 (Registered Nurses).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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The Rippling Team
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