Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in Alabama 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
Registered Nurse Salary in Alabama (2026): City-by-City Pay Data
The average registered nurse salary in Alabama in 2026 is $60,300/year ($29.00/hour). Alabama is among the lower-paying states for nursing, but UAB Medicine in Birmingham is the premium market. Low cost of living and no state income tax on retirement income make AL salaries stretch further in practice.
RN Salary by City in Alabama
| City / Metro | Avg Annual Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Metro | $65,800 | UAB Medicine — academic premium; oncology, transplant, NICU top paid |
| Huntsville | $64,000 | Huntsville Hospital — fastest growing AL market; aerospace/tech sector |
| Montgomery | $58,500 | Baptist Health, Jackson Hospital — state capital |
| Mobile | $59,000 | USA Health, Providence Hospital — Gulf Coast market |
| Tuscaloosa | $57,000 | DCH Health System, Noland Hospital |
Top Alabama Healthcare Employers for RNs
- UAB Medicine (Birmingham) — academic premium; highest paying AL employer for specialty RNs; O'Neal Cancer Center and transplant top pay
- Huntsville Hospital / HH Health — growing Huntsville metro; Level II trauma with strong cardiac programs
- Ascension St. Vincent's (Birmingham) — large community system statewide
- USA Health (Mobile) — academic Gulf Coast system; Level I trauma
Compact License Status
Alabama is an NLC compact state. RNs with a multistate license from another compact state can practice in Alabama without a separate endorsement.
Alabama RN Job Market Outlook
UAB Medicine's ongoing expansion drives Birmingham nursing demand. Huntsville's aerospace/defense sector population growth is creating new hospital capacity and ongoing nursing demand. Travel RN rates in Birmingham run $1,500–$1,900/week. Rural Alabama (Black Belt corridor) has HPSA-designated nursing shortages with state loan repayment programs.
Related: RN Salary Georgia 2026, RN Salary Tennessee 2026, Alabama RN License Guide.
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