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Average salary by job family in Tuscaloosa
| Management | $110,590 |
|---|---|
| Architecture and Engineering | $95,380 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $92,220 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $83,100 |
| Legal | $82,730 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $76,990 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $76,550 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $58,840 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $58,760 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $58,240 |
| Protective Service | $55,300 |
| Community and Social Service | $54,320 |
| Construction and Extraction | $53,440 |
| Production | $52,980 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $45,910 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $43,580 |
| Sales and Related | $40,500 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $40,340 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $34,810 |
| Healthcare Support | $34,030 |
| Personal Care and Service | $32,070 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $29,720 |
Highest-paying jobs in Tuscaloosa
- Physicians, All Other$231,370
- Nurse Anesthetists$213,420
- Chief Executives$208,100
- Financial Managers$143,970
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$143,710
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$139,200
- Facilities Managers$134,840
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$132,330
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$131,340
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$129,820
Most common jobs in Tuscaloosa and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | 7,320 | $55,790 | $53,050 |
| Retail Salespersons | 2,990 | $32,850 | $29,630 |
| Cashiers | 2,660 | $27,690 | $28,110 |
| Registered Nurses | 2,590 | $78,840 | $75,250 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 2,360 | $26,360 | $24,630 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 2,330 | $42,330 | $41,550 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 1,940 | $33,840 | $32,210 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 1,740 | $37,160 | $36,480 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 1,650 | $28,240 | $26,930 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | 1,590 | $66,010 | $62,990 |
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Cost of living in Tuscaloosa
Prices in the Tuscaloosa area are 12% below the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 87.7 for 2024. The average local salary of $54,150 therefore buys what $61,729 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $223,201, 3.7 times the median household income of $59,975.
$223,201typical home value
$59,975median household income
87.7BEA price parity
275,217metro population
Take-home pay in Tuscaloosa
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $31,530 | $26,269 | $2,189 |
| Median wage | $45,220 | $36,655 | $3,055 |
| Average wage | $54,150 | $43,438 | $3,620 |
| 75th percentile wage | $63,550 | $50,577 | $4,215 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.
Salaries for every job in Tuscaloosa
Management23 jobs
- Chief Executives$208K
- Financial Managers$144K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$144K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$139K
- Facilities Managers$135K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$131K
- Industrial Production Managers$129K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$125K
- General and Operations Managers$124K
- Sales Managers$123K
- Purchasing Managers$120K
- Human Resources Managers$116K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$106K
- Marketing Managers$105K
- Construction Managers$101K
- Managers, All Other$98K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$96K
- Education Administrators, All Other$88K
- Social and Community Service Managers$78K
- Lodging Managers$76K
- Food Service Managers$69K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$54K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$46K
Architecture and Engineering10 jobs
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$132K
- Electrical Engineers$117K
- Mechanical Engineers$116K
- Industrial Engineers$101K
- Civil Engineers$97K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$82K
- Surveyors$79K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$55K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$54K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$52K
Computer and Mathematical11 jobs
- Computer Network Architects$124K
- Software Developers$115K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$113K
- Information Security Analysts$107K
- Computer Systems Analysts$96K
- Data Scientists$92K
- Database Administrators$90K
- Computer Programmers$83K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$83K
- Web Developers$66K
- Computer User Support Specialists$53K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical27 jobs
- Physicians, All Other$231K
- Nurse Anesthetists$213K
- Pharmacists$128K
- Nurse Practitioners$114K
- Physician Assistants$110K
- Physical Therapists$106K
- Occupational Therapists$98K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$85K
- Registered Nurses$79K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$71K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$69K
- Respiratory Therapists$62K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$60K
- Dental Hygienists$60K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$57K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$54K
- Paramedics$52K
- Surgical Technologists$49K
- Medical Records Specialists$48K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$44K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$44K
- Pharmacy Technicians$41K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$38K
- Opticians, Dispensing$38K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$37K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$36K
- Psychiatric Technicians$36K
Legal3 jobs
Business and Financial Operations18 jobs
- Personal Financial Advisors$118K
- Management Analysts$101K
- Project Management Specialists$100K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$96K
- Logisticians$87K
- Loan Officers$87K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$82K
- Accountants and Auditors$79K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$79K
- Cost Estimators$75K
- Compliance Officers$74K
- Human Resources Specialists$72K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$71K
- Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents$63K
- Training and Development Specialists$63K
- Fundraisers$61K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$61K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$53K
Life, Physical, and Social Science4 jobs
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair16 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$88K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$79K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$66K
- Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers$65K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$65K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$62K
- Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$60K
- Millwrights$60K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$57K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$55K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$51K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$50K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$50K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$42K
- Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers$37K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$35K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media4 jobs
Educational Instruction and Library20 jobs
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$130K
- Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary$96K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$78K
- Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary$75K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$74K
- English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary$67K
- Instructional Coordinators$67K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$63K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$62K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$61K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$61K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$61K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$59K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$59K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$57K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$42K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$30K
- Substitute Teachers, Short-Term$25K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$24K
Protective Service7 jobs
Community and Social Service8 jobs
- Health Education Specialists$62K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$60K
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$57K
- Healthcare Social Workers$55K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$55K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$53K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$48K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$36K
Construction and Extraction18 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$79K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$64K
- Electricians$59K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$59K
- Continuous Mining Machine Operators$58K
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers$57K
- Loading and Moving Machine Operators, Underground Mining$57K
- Sheet Metal Workers$54K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$50K
- Carpenters$50K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$47K
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers$46K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$46K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$40K
- Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators$40K
- Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$39K
- Helpers--Electricians$38K
- Construction Laborers$37K
Production25 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$78K
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$62K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$56K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$56K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$56K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$55K
- Machinists$55K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$54K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$53K
- Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders$52K
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic$51K
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$51K
- Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$45K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$44K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$43K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$42K
- Bakers$40K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$39K
- Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood$38K
- Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$38K
- Printing Press Operators$37K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$36K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$36K
- Helpers--Production Workers$36K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$32K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry3 jobs
Office and Administrative Support32 jobs
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$68K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$67K
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$61K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$60K
- Postal Service Clerks$60K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$58K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$51K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$48K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$48K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$47K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$45K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$44K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$44K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$43K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$43K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$43K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$43K
- Meter Readers, Utilities$43K
- Bill and Account Collectors$43K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$42K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$42K
- Customer Service Representatives$41K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$38K
- Tellers$38K
- Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$37K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$36K
- Data Entry Keyers$35K
- Switchboard Operators, Including Answering Service$34K
- Office Clerks, General$33K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$32K
- Couriers and Messengers$31K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$29K
Sales and Related11 jobs
- Insurance Sales Agents$93K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$77K
- Real Estate Sales Agents$75K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$72K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$63K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$54K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$48K
- Parts Salespersons$38K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$36K
- Retail Salespersons$33K
- Cashiers$28K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$61K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$54K
- Crane and Tower Operators$53K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$48K
- Light Truck Drivers$44K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$42K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$39K
- Driver/Sales Workers$38K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37K
- Machine Feeders and Offbearers$36K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$34K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$31K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$30K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$29K
- Bus Drivers, School$18K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance5 jobs
Healthcare Support9 jobs
Personal Care and Service10 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$49K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$47K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$46K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$37K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$35K
- Recreation Workers$34K
- Animal Caretakers$31K
- Residential Advisors$29K
- Childcare Workers$24K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$23K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$65K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$41K
- Cooks, Restaurant$32K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$32K
- Bartenders$31K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$30K
- Food Preparation Workers$29K
- Waiters and Waitresses$28K
- Dishwashers$28K
- Cooks, Fast Food$28K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$26K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$26K
- Cooks, Short Order$24K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$24K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Tuscaloosa: questions
What is a good salary in Tuscaloosa?
Half of all workers in the Tuscaloosa metro earn less than $45,220 and the average is $54,150. Earning more than $63,550 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Tuscaloosa to match a $69,770 salary elsewhere?
About $61,204, because prices here are 12% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 87.7).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tuscaloosa?
Physicians, All Other ($231,370), Nurse Anesthetists ($213,420), Chief Executives ($208,100).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Tuscaloosa, AL (46220), all occupations and 294 individual jobs. What a metro area includes.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). City occupational taxes (for example in Birmingham and Gadsden) are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.