Registered Nurse Salary in Birmingham, AL
Registered Nurses in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median $78,680 a year — 19% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $60,512 take-home, or $5,043 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Birmingham, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,480
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,878
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,141
- Alabama income tax$3,669
- Take-home pay$60,512
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Birmingham, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $62,230 | $29.92 | $49,335 | $4,111 |
| 25th percentile | $63,610 | $30.58 | $50,375 | $4,198 |
| Median (50th) | $78,680 | $37.83 | $60,512 | $5,043 |
| 75th percentile | $85,160 | $40.94 | $64,747 | $5,396 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,960 | $49.50 | $76,379 | $6,365 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $78,680 buys in Birmingham, AL
Prices in Birmingham, AL are 8.4% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 28% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $60,512 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,030 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Birmingham, AL has 1.6× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Birmingham, AL ranks #342 of 370 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 342 | Birmingham, AL | $78,680 | $60,512 | $66,030 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in Alabama
- Gadsden, AL — $77,810
- Mobile, AL — $79,490
- Auburn, AL — $78,040
- Montgomery, AL — $79,570
- Tuscaloosa, AL — $75,250
- Anniston, AL — $72,730
- Daphne, AL — $79,450
- Huntsville, AL — $77,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Birmingham, AL?
The median registered nurse salary in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $78,680 a year, or about $37.83 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,610 and $85,160.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Birmingham, AL?
On the median $78,680 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $60,512 a year ($5,043 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,669 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 19% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,030 would in a typical U.S. city. Birmingham, AL ranks #342 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Birmingham, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Birmingham, AL is $1,115 a month ($1,234 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
- Physicians, All Other — $237,040
- Nurse Anesthetist — $175,850
- Pharmacist — $138,800
- Nurse Practitioner — $107,700
- Physical Therapist — $97,750
- Occupational Therapist — $95,250
- Speech-Language Pathologist — $75,750
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer — $69,890
- Respiratory Therapist — $67,480
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician — $62,770
- Dental Hygienist — $61,730
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse — $61,040