SOC 47-5023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas — Alabama
Alabama · 1 metro areas compared
In Alabama the median wage is $46,440.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Alabama the median wage is $46,440. That is 22.8% lower than the national median of $60,190. Pay ranges from under $43,740 at the tenth percentile to more than $67,970 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $44,980 to $48,950.
Employment stands at 170, or 0.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Alabama ranks number 46th out of 48 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Birmingham records the highest median at $46,440. Of the 690 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 438th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,740 | −27.3% |
| 25th | $44,980 | −25.3% |
| Median (50th) | $46,440 | −22.8% |
| 75th | $48,950 | −18.7% |
| 90th | $67,970 | +12.9% |
| Mean | $51,640 | −14.2% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $46,440 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $46,440 goes as far as $52,297 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,297US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,440 a year, 22.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,740 to $67,970 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $46,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in Alabama?
The median annual wage is $46,440, or $22.33 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $60,190, so pay in Alabama is 22.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Alabama earns more than $67,970 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,740 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Birmingham, at $46,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in Alabama. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data