How Much Does a Rad Tech Make in Alabama in 2026?

A typical Radiologic Technologist in Alabama earns about $29.18 per hour, or $60,700 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That works out to roughly $5,058 a month and $1,167 a week, based on the annual figure. Pay varies by employer and shift, but this figure reflects what most Rad Techs across Alabama actually take home.

Alabama's typical pay sits about 24% below the national figure of $80,110 a year, ranking 50th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia. Only one state pays Rad Techs less. About 3,500 people work as Rad Techs in Alabama, a modest workforce compared with the national total of 230,490. Lower pay in Alabama tends to track the state's lower cost of living.

Entry-level Rad Techs in Alabama typically start around $19.74 an hour, or about $41,060 a year. Some new graduates land closer to $23.85 an hour, or $49,610 a year, depending on the employer and credential. Pay generally rises toward the typical $60,700 mark within the first several years on the job. Hospitals and imaging centers often adjust starting pay based on certification level and shift availability.

Experienced Rad Techs in Alabama often earn upwards of $34.43 an hour, and the top 10% of earners make over $38.60 an hour, or $80,300 a year. That puts a $39,240 spread between entry-level and top-tier pay. Setting, years of experience, and city all play a role in where an individual lands within that range, with specialized imaging roles and supervisory positions typically near the top.

Alabama's typical Rad Tech pay rose from $46,490 in 2019 to $60,700 in 2025, a gain of $14,210, or about 31%, over that span. The increase has been steady each year, without any single sharp jump or dip. That trajectory reflects broader wage growth across healthcare support roles in the state.

Nationally, Rad Tech pay grew about 32% over the same period, putting Alabama's rise roughly in line with the country as a whole. Pay has moved up steadily for someone starting now, though nothing guarantees that trend continues at the same pace. The state's gains have kept pace with, rather than fallen further behind, the national trend.

Pay runs highest in the Daphne, Foley, and Fairhope metro areas, where Rad Techs typically earn $68,830 a year, about 13% above the statewide figure. Auburn and Opelika follow closely at $67,000 a year. Mobile and Birmingham pay closer to the state's typical range, at $63,150 and $62,770 respectively. These figures reflect each city's full metro area, not just its downtown core.

Dothan pays the least among Alabama's metro areas, with Rad Techs typically earning $52,230 a year, a spread of $16,600 between the highest- and lowest-paying cities. Birmingham employs the most Rad Techs in the state, with about 1,050 working there, even though its pay sits below the top cities. Higher pay in coastal and Auburn-area metros likely reflects a higher cost of living in those areas.

Alabama's Rad Tech pay trails every neighboring state except Mississippi. Florida pays $76,750 a year, 26% more, and Georgia pays $74,550, 23% more. Tennessee runs close by at $64,630, about 6% higher, while Mississippi sits slightly below Alabama at $59,300, about 2% less. Rad Techs relocating across state lines can often transfer or endorse their license into a neighboring state without starting certification over.

Alabama's Rad Techs typically earn $60,700 a year, up $14,210, or about 31%, over the past several years. Pay varies by city and experience, from entry-level starting points near $41,060 to top earners above $80,300. Readers considering the field can check Alabama's licensing and registry requirements for radiologic technologists, and compare local figures on the individual city pages for a closer look at pay near them.