Retail Salesperson Salary in Birmingham, AL
Retail Salespersons in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median $31,450 a year — 11% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,143 take-home, or $2,179 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median retail salesperson salary in Birmingham, AL. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,594
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,950
- Medicare (1.45%)$456
- Alabama income tax$1,308
- Take-home pay$26,143
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.00% state
Retail Salesperson pay by experience in Birmingham, AL
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,450 | $11.27 | $20,014 | $1,668 |
| 25th percentile | $28,140 | $13.53 | $23,641 | $1,970 |
| Median (50th) | $31,450 | $15.12 | $26,143 | $2,179 |
| 75th percentile | $36,830 | $17.71 | $30,196 | $2,516 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,160 | $22.19 | $37,227 | $3,102 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Alabama resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $31,450 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 retail salesperson's $26,143 take-home pay has the buying power of $28,526 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Retail Salesperson jobs are about as common in Birmingham, AL as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.17).
Best-paying cities for retail salespersons, adjusted for cost of living
Birmingham, AL ranks #247 of 387 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot, ND | $35,290 | $30,536 | $35,087 |
| 2 | Bismarck, ND | $36,730 | $31,693 | $34,818 |
| 3 | Wildwood, FL | $34,290 | $29,732 | $34,805 |
| 4 | Grand Forks, ND | $34,440 | $29,853 | $34,447 |
| 5 | Fargo, ND | $35,860 | $30,994 | $34,107 |
| 6 | Longview, WA | $38,680 | $33,259 | $34,096 |
| 7 | Lewiston, ID | $37,010 | $31,064 | $34,077 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $34,860 | $29,144 | $33,257 |
| 247 | Birmingham, AL | $31,450 | $26,143 | $28,526 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 387 metros →
Retail Salesperson salaries elsewhere in Alabama
- Decatur, AL — $31,550
- Huntsville, AL — $33,120
- Dothan, AL — $28,770
- Florence, AL — $28,980
- Anniston, AL — $29,400
- Tuscaloosa, AL — $29,630
- Mobile, AL — $29,710
- Auburn, AL — $29,140
Frequently asked questions
How much does a retail salesperson make in Birmingham, AL?
The median retail salesperson salary in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $31,450 a year, or about $15.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $28,140 and $36,830.
What is a retail salesperson’s take-home pay in Birmingham, AL?
On the median $31,450 salary, a single filer living in Alabama takes home about $26,143 a year ($2,179 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,308 in Alabama taxes in 2026.
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to work as a retail salesperson?
Pay here is 11% below the national median of $35,410. Local prices are 8.4% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $28,526 would in a typical U.S. city. Birmingham, AL ranks #247 of 387 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a retail salesperson 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) — 51% of a median retail salesperson’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
- First-Line Supervisor of Non-Retail Sales Workers — $80,760
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products — $71,450
- Insurance Sales Agent — $66,640
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products — $64,670
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel — $60,040
- Real Estate Sales Agent — $56,920
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents — $52,420
- First-Line Supervisor of Retail Sales Workers — $46,210
- Counter and Rental Clerk — $36,310
- Parts Salesperson — $35,620
- Cashier — $29,310