Alabama Jobs and Wages
Wages, unemployment, minimum wage, benefits, visa filings and federal openings for Alabama from BLS, the Department of Labor and USAJOBS.
- Median wage
- $45,670 a year
- May 2025
- Unemployment rate
- 3.5%
- Sep 2026
- Minimum wage
- $7.25/hr
- Federal rate applies
- Average weekly jobless benefit
- $259
- Sep 2026
Highest paying jobs in Alabama
Occupations with at least 100 jobs
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| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cardiologists | 130 | $519,480 | $471,790 |
| 2 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | 380 | $324,570 | $287,150 |
| 3 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | 310 | $311,180 | $294,500 |
| 4 | Physicians, All Other | 3,980 | $272,610 | $264,580 |
| 5 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | 130 | $239,200 or more | $239,200 or more |
| 6 | Surgeons, All Other | 340 | $239,200 or more | $239,200 or more |
| 7 | Obstetricians and Gynecologists | 120 | $210,380 | $208,080 |
| 8 | Nurse Anesthetists | 1,810 | $190,300 | $189,120 |
Most common jobs in Alabama
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| # | Occupation | Employment | Median wage | Mean wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Retail Salespersons | 60,880 | $30,040 | $33,340 |
| 2 | Registered Nurses | 54,340 | $77,080 | $77,020 |
| 3 | Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 53,280 | $42,700 | $44,740 |
| 4 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 46,580 | $34,290 | $35,980 |
| 5 | Cashiers | 46,420 | $28,250 | $27,830 |
| 6 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 45,050 | $41,630 | $43,060 |
| 7 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 41,460 | $23,700 | $25,600 |
| 8 | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 36,650 | $52,120 | $56,230 |
Wages by metro area
- Anniston-Oxford, AL
- Auburn-Opelika, AL
- Birmingham, AL
- Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL
- Decatur, AL
- Dothan, AL
- Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
- Gadsden, AL
- Huntsville, AL
- Mobile, AL
- Montgomery, AL
- Tuscaloosa, AL
- Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area
- Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area
- Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area
- Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area
Visa filings for jobs in this state
Employer filings with the Department of Labor
- H-1B (FY 2026 through Q3)1,451 certified, median offer $93,475
- PERM (FY 2026 through Q3)1,482 certified, median offer $23,920
Top H-1B employers in Alabama
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| # | Employer | Certified | Median wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | The University of Alabama at Birmingham | 222 | $83,880 |
| 2 | Auburn University | 93 | $80,000 |
| 3 | University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, PC | 70 | $273,260 |
| 4 | The University of Alabama | 64 | $78,001 |
| 5 | The University of Alabama in Huntsville | 29 | $95,163 |
| 6 | USA HealthCare Management, LLC | 19 | $250,000 |
| 7 | Hospital Physician Services Southeast, Professional Corporation | 18 | $239,200 |
| 8 | ArcelorMittal Calvert LLC | 17 | $96,845 |
More Alabama labor data
- Unemployment by county3.5% statewide
- Jobs by industry2.22 million jobs, +1.0% in a year
- Minimum wage$7.25 an hour
- Unemployment benefits$259 a week on average
- Union membership6.3% in 2025
- Federal job openings302 open now
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median wage in Alabama?
- The median wage for all occupations in Alabama is $45,670 a year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025).
- What is the unemployment rate in Alabama?
- Alabama's unemployment rate was 3.5% in Sep 2026 (seasonally adjusted).
- What is the highest paying job in Alabama?
- Cardiologists have the highest median wage among occupations with at least 100 jobs in Alabama: $519,480 a year.