Registered Nurses in Alabama. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Registered Nurses in Alabama earned a median of $71,040 in 2024, about 25% below the US median of $94,511. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation across the country.
The spread within Alabama is worth noting. A nurse at the 10th percentile earned around $53,360, while one at the 90th earned $98,840. Top earners made close to twice what the lowest-paid nurses did. That kind of range usually reflects differences in setting, years of experience, and specialty. An ICU nurse at a large academic hospital and a clinic nurse in a rural county can both carry the same license and still land at opposite ends of that range.
Alabama's cost of living sits well below the national average, with an overall index of 87.3 against a national baseline of 100. Adjusting for what the money actually buys, the $71,040 median works out closer to $81,400 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the gap with the national median by about a third, though a premium for nurses in higher-cost states does remain.
BLS projects 4.9% employment growth for Registered Nurses between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as average. That pace tracks the broader health care sector and suggests steady demand rather than a sharp acceleration.
Salary distribution
Where Alabama registered nurses fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $63,500 and $83,380, with a median of $77,080.
Registered Nurses in Alabama: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $64,896. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 8 | $66,768 |
| Level II — qualified | 1 | $58,178 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Registered Nurses in Alabama. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Children's Hospital of Alabama | Staff Nurse Float Pool | 5 | $63,440 |
| GLOBAL NURSING RECRUITERS | CRITICAL CARE NURSE | 2 | $68,640 |
| Atlas Healthcare, LLC | Registered Nurse | 1 | $58,178 |
| Jackson Hospital and Clinic, Inc. | Registered Nurse - Nurse Champion (Patient Safety) | 1 | $64,896 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Staff Nurse Float Pool at The Children's Hospital of Alabama$74,464BirminghamWage Level IDecided Feb 26, 2026I-200-26050-652047
- Registered Nurse - Nurse Champion (Patient Safety) at Jackson Hospital and Clinic, Inc.$64,896MontgomeryWage Level IDecided Nov 21, 2025I-200-25318-408478
- CRITICAL CARE NURSE at GLOBAL NURSING RECRUITERS$68,640GADSDENWage Level IDecided Jul 23, 2025I-200-25197-177823
- Registered Nurse at Atlas Healthcare, LLC$58,178Alexander CityWage Level IIDecided Apr 24, 2025I-203-25107-874625
- CRITICAL CARE NURSE at GLOBAL NURSING RECRUITERS$68,640MOBILEWage Level IDecided Mar 11, 2025I-200-25063-742474
- Staff Nurse Float Pool at The Children's Hospital of Alabama$63,253BirminghamWage Level IDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-645225
- Staff Nurse Float Pool at The Children's Hospital of Alabama$63,440BirminghamWage Level IDecided Feb 23, 2026I-200-26044-639355
- Staff Nurse Float Pool at The Children's Hospital of Alabama$72,384BirminghamWage Level IDecided Feb 6, 2026I-200-26030-609809
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Registered Nurses pay by experience level in Alabama
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Registered Nurses in Alabama, by industry
Median offered wage across 9 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Healthcare leads with a median of $64,168.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Healthcare | The Children's Hospital of Alabama | 6 | $64,168 |
| Professional services | GLOBAL NURSING RECRUITERS | 3 | $68,640 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Alabama over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
Psychology
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Social Perceptiveness
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Record patients' medical information and vital signs.
- 02
Administer medications to patients and monitor patients for reactions or side effects.
- 03
Maintain accurate, detailed reports and records.
- 04
Monitor, record, and report symptoms or changes in patients' conditions.
- 05
Provide health care, first aid, immunizations, or assistance in convalescence or rehabilitation in locations such as schools, hospitals, or industry.
- 06
Consult and coordinate with healthcare team members to assess, plan, implement, or evaluate patient care plans.
- 07
Direct or supervise less-skilled nursing or healthcare personnel or supervise a particular unit.
- 08
Monitor all aspects of patient care, including diet and physical activity.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in Alabama
Metro-level salary data for registered nurses in major Alabama metropolitan areas.
- Birmingham$78,680
Compare Registered Nurses pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare Alabama with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Registered Nurses in Alabama?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Registered Nurses in Alabama is $77,080.
- How does Alabama compare to the national median for Registered Nurses?
- The Alabama median is -21.6% versus the BLS national figure of $98,331.
- What is the salary range for Registered Nurses in Alabama?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $58,150 and the 90th-percentile at $98,910, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Registered Nurses a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Registered Nurses?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.