How Much Does an NP Make in Alabama in 2026?

A typical NP in Alabama earns about $50.84 per hour ($105,750 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $8,812 a month and $2,034 a week, both figures calculated from the annual number. Pay varies somewhat by setting and city, but this is the starting point for understanding what the job pays across the state.

Alabama's typical NP pay sits about 20% below the national figure of $132,300 a year ($63.61 an hour), and the state ranks 51st out of 51 states and D.C. That gap mirrors Alabama's lower cost of living compared with much of the country. The state employs 5,640 nurse practitioners, a sizable workforce that makes the local wage figures dependable for comparison.

Entry-level NP positions in Alabama typically offer around $41.49 an hour, or about $86,300 a year, according to the same wage data. New nurse practitioners often start near this range in their first roles. Pay tends to climb toward the state's typical figure of $105,750 within the first few years of practice. Experience, certification, and specialty all play into how quickly that happens.

Experienced nurse practitioners in Alabama often earn upwards of $123,970 a year, and the top 10% of earners make over $134,650. That leaves a spread of $48,350 between entry-level and top pay in the state. Setting, years of experience, and city all factor into where an individual NP lands within that range.

Alabama's typical NP pay rose from $89,660 in 2015 to $105,750 in 2025, a gain of $16,090 over the decade. That amounts to an 18% increase in the state's typical annual pay. The rise wasn't perfectly steady; pay peaked at $106,930 in 2024 before easing slightly the following year. Even with that dip, the decade-long direction has been upward.

Nationally, NP pay climbed 35% over the same decade, outpacing Alabama's 18% rise. That means Alabama's typical pay has grown more slowly than the national trend, even as the dollar figure moved up each year. For someone starting an NP career in Alabama now, past growth doesn't guarantee future increases, but the decade's trend shows pay has moved in one direction: up.

Pay runs highest in Tuscaloosa, where NPs earn a typical $110,460 a year, about 4% above the statewide figure. Opelika and Auburn follow closely, with typical pay of $108,500. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just its downtown core. Decatur and Birmingham round out the top tier, each paying above $107,000 a year.

Florence pays the least among Alabama's metro areas, at $101,040 a year, putting the spread between the highest- and lowest-paying cities at $9,420. Birmingham employs the most nurse practitioners of any Alabama city, with 1,350 in the role, even though its pay sits closer to the middle of the range. Cities with higher pay often carry higher living costs, so a bigger paycheck doesn't always stretch further.

Alabama pays less than every state it borders. Florida and Georgia both report typical NP pay near $129,500 a year, about 22% above Alabama's figure, while Mississippi ($124,730) and Tennessee ($117,590) also pay more, by 18% and 11% respectively. For NPs weighing a move, licensure in one state can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, easing a cross-border job search.

Nurse practitioners in Alabama typically earn $105,750 a year, a figure that has climbed 18% over the past decade even as it remains below the national rate. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level roles near $86,300 to top earners above $134,650. For licensing requirements, check Alabama's state nursing board page; for local figures, check the city-specific pages for Alabama's metro areas.