SOC 23-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Lawyers — Southwest Alabama
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is $99,440 a year, 37.7% under the national median of $159,670 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is $99,440 a year, 37.7% under the national median of $159,670 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $75,620 and $133,600. The lowest tenth earn under $58,250, while the highest tenth earn more than $168,980.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Birmingham records the highest median at $170,230. Of the 252 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 23rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $58,250 | −63.5% |
| 25th | $75,620 | −52.6% |
| Median (50th) | $99,440 | −37.7% |
| 75th | $133,600 | −16.3% |
| 90th | $168,980 | +5.8% |
| Mean | $112,380 | −29.6% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Birmingham | $170,230 | 2,800 | |
| 2 | Decatur | $139,010 | 70 | |
| 3 | Huntsville | $133,220 | 730 | |
| 4 | Mobile | $130,490 | 560 | |
| 5 | Dothan | $129,990 | 140 | |
| 6 | Montgomery | $125,290 | 960 | |
| 7 | Tuscaloosa | $114,100 | 190 | |
| 8 | Anniston | $113,210 | 60 | |
| 9 | Auburn | $100,560 | 120 | |
| 10 | Florence | $98,850 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $99,440 goes as far as $111,982 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 29.9% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$99,440as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$111,982US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $99,440 a year, 37.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $58,250 to $168,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Birmingham, at $170,230.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Lawyers in Southwest Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $99,440, or $47.81 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 $159,670, so pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is 37.7% 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 Southwest Alabama, AL earns more than $168,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $58,250 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 $170,230 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Southwest Alabama, AL. 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