Registered Nurse Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Registered Nurses in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median $75,250 a year — 23% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,271 take-home, or $4,856 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Tuscaloosa, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,725
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,666
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,091
- Alabama income tax$3,498
- Take-home pay$58,271
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 5.00% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $55,500 | $26.68 | $44,264 | $3,689 |
| 25th percentile | $63,920 | $30.73 | $50,609 | $4,217 |
| Median (50th) | $75,250 | $36.18 | $58,271 | $4,856 |
| 75th percentile | $83,720 | $40.25 | $63,806 | $5,317 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,920 | $49.96 | $77,007 | $6,417 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $75,250 buys in Tuscaloosa, AL
Prices in Tuscaloosa, AL are 12.3% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 42% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $58,271 take-home pay has the buying power of $66,427 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Registered Nurse jobs are about as common in Tuscaloosa, AL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.10).
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #339 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 |
| 339 | Tuscaloosa, AL | $75,250 | $58,271 | $66,427 |
*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
- Birmingham, AL — $78,680
- Anniston, AL — $72,730
- Daphne, AL — $79,450
- Huntsville, AL — $77,090
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median registered nurse salary in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $75,250 a year, or about $36.18 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $63,920 and $83,720.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Tuscaloosa, AL?
On the median $75,250 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $58,271 a year ($4,856 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,498 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 23% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 12.3% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $66,427 would in a typical U.S. city. Tuscaloosa, AL ranks #339 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Tuscaloosa, AL?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Tuscaloosa, AL is $943 a month ($1,141 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.