Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Alabama

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average (2024), so a Alabama salary is worth about 1.13× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Alabama.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Alabama

OccupationMedian, Alabama · Real change since 2019

1Chief Executives$166,420
Bachelor's degree
$101,670 – $317,400-26.9%-7.9% nominal
2Education Teachers, Postsecondary$63,730
Doctoral or professional degree
$46,750 – $100,490-25.9%-6.7% nominal
3Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$59,770
Postsecondary nondegree award
$43,750 – $91,790-25.7%-6.4% nominal
4Business Teachers, Postsecondary$82,170
Doctoral or professional degree
$48,310 – $171,420-25.4%-6.1% nominal
5Insurance Underwriters$62,220
Bachelor's degree
$43,540 – $129,600-24.9%-5.4% nominal
6Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$57,430
No formal educational credential
$45,530 – $75,280-24.2%-4.5% nominal
7Personal Financial Advisors$77,990
Bachelor's degree
$42,150 – $342,030-24.1%-4.4% nominal
8Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$47,650
Associate's degree
$31,390 – $81,310-24.0%-4.3% nominal
9Instructional Coordinators$69,000
Master's degree
$46,460 – $109,710-24.0%-4.3% nominal
10Occupational Therapy Assistants$62,250
Associate's degree
$50,120 – $79,600-21.3%-1.0% nominal
11Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$57,710
Bachelor's degree
$51,390 – $98,100-21.1%-0.6% nominal
12Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$49,230
Bachelor's degree
$38,460 – $132,130-20.8%-0.3% nominal
13Self-Enrichment Teachers$38,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$21,520 – $60,810-20.7%-0.2% nominal
14Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38,650
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,170 – $48,940-20.3%+0.3% nominal
15Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$39,970
Some college, no degree
$34,820 – $62,630-19.0%+2.0% nominal
16Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$92,310
Doctoral or professional degree
$58,540 – $202,190-18.9%+2.1% nominal
17Computer User Support Specialists$49,630
Some college, no degree
$35,320 – $75,790-18.5%+2.6% nominal
18Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$58,100
Bachelor's degree
$35,160 – $107,810-18.3%+2.9% nominal
19Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$63,540
Master's degree
$51,000 – $96,320-18.0%+3.2% nominal
20Paralegals and Legal Assistants$47,260
Associate's degree
$30,750 – $77,100-17.0%+4.5% nominal
21Physical Therapist Assistants$61,430
Associate's degree
$49,340 – $79,060-16.7%+4.9% nominal
22Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$38,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,610 – $58,820-16.2%+5.5% nominal
23Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$36,680
Postsecondary nondegree award
$29,120 – $47,690-16.0%+5.7% nominal
24Training and Development Specialists$64,490
Bachelor's degree
$39,690 – $114,010-15.7%+6.2% nominal
25Tree Trimmers and Pruners$41,500
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,350 – $57,390-15.7%+6.2% nominal
26Clergy$50,180
Bachelor's degree
$38,480 – $71,650-15.7%+6.2% nominal
27Pharmacists$134,630
Doctoral or professional degree
$90,010 – $161,940-15.2%+6.8% nominal
28Computer Network Support Specialists$61,890
Associate's degree
$40,290 – $99,270-15.1%+6.9% nominal
29Physical Therapists$97,290
Doctoral or professional degree
$74,770 – $133,710-15.1%+7.0% nominal
30Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$65,900
Doctoral or professional degree
$50,230 – $97,860-14.1%+8.2% nominal
31Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$36,930
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,890 – $50,900-14.0%+8.3% nominal
32Pest Control Workers$38,410
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,100 – $50,110-13.8%+8.5% nominal
33Chemical Technicians$58,150
Associate's degree
$37,990 – $84,930-13.7%+8.7% nominal
34Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$39,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$19,330 – $57,320-13.5%+9.0% nominal
35Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$120,720
Bachelor's degree
$77,100 – $195,190-13.5%+8.9% nominal
36Producers and Directors$63,340
Bachelor's degree
$39,340 – $107,890-13.4%+9.1% nominal
37First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$64,120
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,860 – $105,030-13.2%+9.4% nominal
38Aerospace Engineers$127,540
Bachelor's degree
$78,660 – $195,190-13.1%+9.5% nominal
39Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$59,570
Master's degree
$37,670 – $78,570-13.0%+9.5% nominal
40Nurse Practitioners$105,750
Master's degree
$86,300 – $134,650-13.0%+9.6% nominal
41Network and Computer Systems Administrators$81,400
Bachelor's degree
$51,690 – $135,080-12.9%+9.7% nominal
42Construction Managers$96,960
Bachelor's degree
$61,970 – $157,460-12.9%+9.7% nominal
43Construction and Building Inspectors$61,300
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,010 – $85,770-12.9%+9.7% nominal
44Parts Salespersons$33,820
No formal educational credential
$23,690 – $58,240-12.8%+9.8% nominal
45Education Administrators, Postsecondary$100,030
Master's degree
$62,570 – $211,370-12.8%+9.8% nominal
46Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$42,140
Associate's degree
$31,520 – $61,460-12.6%+10.1% nominal
47Athletic Trainers$46,940
Master's degree
$38,110 – $63,840-12.6%+10.1% nominal
48Computer Programmers$93,800
Bachelor's degree
$58,100 – $132,330-12.4%+10.3% nominal
49Logisticians$98,450
Bachelor's degree
$61,320 – $142,670-12.4%+10.3% nominal
50Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$40,050
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,230 – $60,410-12.3%+10.4% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianAlabama	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Chief ExecutivesBachelor's degree	$166,420	$101,670 – $317,400	-26.9%-7.9% nominal
2	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$63,730	$46,750 – $100,490	-25.9%-6.7% nominal
3	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$59,770	$43,750 – $91,790	-25.7%-6.4% nominal
4	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,170	$48,310 – $171,420	-25.4%-6.1% nominal
5	Insurance UnderwritersBachelor's degree	$62,220	$43,540 – $129,600	-24.9%-5.4% nominal
6	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$57,430	$45,530 – $75,280	-24.2%-4.5% nominal
7	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$77,990	$42,150 – $342,030	-24.1%-4.4% nominal
8	Cardiovascular Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$47,650	$31,390 – $81,310	-24.0%-4.3% nominal
9	Instructional CoordinatorsMaster's degree	$69,000	$46,460 – $109,710	-24.0%-4.3% nominal
10	Occupational Therapy AssistantsAssociate's degree	$62,250	$50,120 – $79,600	-21.3%-1.0% nominal
11	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$57,710	$51,390 – $98,100	-21.1%-0.6% nominal
12	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales AgentsBachelor's degree	$49,230	$38,460 – $132,130	-20.8%-0.3% nominal
13	Self-Enrichment TeachersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,430	$21,520 – $60,810	-20.7%-0.2% nominal
14	Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,650	$29,170 – $48,940	-20.3%+0.3% nominal
15	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$39,970	$34,820 – $62,630	-19.0%+2.0% nominal
16	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$92,310	$58,540 – $202,190	-18.9%+2.1% nominal
17	Computer User Support SpecialistsSome college, no degree	$49,630	$35,320 – $75,790	-18.5%+2.6% nominal
18	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue AgentsBachelor's degree	$58,100	$35,160 – $107,810	-18.3%+2.9% nominal
19	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$63,540	$51,000 – $96,320	-18.0%+3.2% nominal
20	Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssociate's degree	$47,260	$30,750 – $77,100	-17.0%+4.5% nominal
21	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$61,430	$49,340 – $79,060	-16.7%+4.9% nominal
22	Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,140	$34,610 – $58,820	-16.2%+5.5% nominal
23	Ophthalmic Medical TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$36,680	$29,120 – $47,690	-16.0%+5.7% nominal
24	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$64,490	$39,690 – $114,010	-15.7%+6.2% nominal
25	Tree Trimmers and PrunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$41,500	$33,350 – $57,390	-15.7%+6.2% nominal
26	ClergyBachelor's degree	$50,180	$38,480 – $71,650	-15.7%+6.2% nominal
27	PharmacistsDoctoral or professional degree	$134,630	$90,010 – $161,940	-15.2%+6.8% nominal
28	Computer Network Support SpecialistsAssociate's degree	$61,890	$40,290 – $99,270	-15.1%+6.9% nominal
29	Physical TherapistsDoctoral or professional degree	$97,290	$74,770 – $133,710	-15.1%+7.0% nominal
30	Mathematical Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$65,900	$50,230 – $97,860	-14.1%+8.2% nominal
31	Medical Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$36,930	$29,890 – $50,900	-14.0%+8.3% nominal
32	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,410	$31,100 – $50,110	-13.8%+8.5% nominal
33	Chemical TechniciansAssociate's degree	$58,150	$37,990 – $84,930	-13.7%+8.7% nominal
34	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$39,180	$19,330 – $57,320	-13.5%+9.0% nominal
35	Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerBachelor's degree	$120,720	$77,100 – $195,190	-13.5%+8.9% nominal
36	Producers and DirectorsBachelor's degree	$63,340	$39,340 – $107,890	-13.4%+9.1% nominal
37	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$64,120	$44,860 – $105,030	-13.2%+9.4% nominal
38	Aerospace EngineersBachelor's degree	$127,540	$78,660 – $195,190	-13.1%+9.5% nominal
39	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and AdvisorsMaster's degree	$59,570	$37,670 – $78,570	-13.0%+9.5% nominal
40	Nurse PractitionersMaster's degree	$105,750	$86,300 – $134,650	-13.0%+9.6% nominal
41	Network and Computer Systems AdministratorsBachelor's degree	$81,400	$51,690 – $135,080	-12.9%+9.7% nominal
42	Construction ManagersBachelor's degree	$96,960	$61,970 – $157,460	-12.9%+9.7% nominal
43	Construction and Building InspectorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,300	$46,010 – $85,770	-12.9%+9.7% nominal
44	Parts SalespersonsNo formal educational credential	$33,820	$23,690 – $58,240	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
45	Education Administrators, PostsecondaryMaster's degree	$100,030	$62,570 – $211,370	-12.8%+9.8% nominal
46	Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and TimekeepingAssociate's degree	$42,140	$31,520 – $61,460	-12.6%+10.1% nominal
47	Athletic TrainersMaster's degree	$46,940	$38,110 – $63,840	-12.6%+10.1% nominal
48	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$93,800	$58,100 – $132,330	-12.4%+10.3% nominal
49	LogisticiansBachelor's degree	$98,450	$61,320 – $142,670	-12.4%+10.3% nominal
50	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,050	$30,230 – $60,410	-12.3%+10.4% nominal

More for Alabama

Metro areas in Alabama

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Alabama

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Alabama to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Alabama

More for Alabama

Metro areas in Alabama

By field in Alabama

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state