SOC 15-1252 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Developers — Southwest Alabama
Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
In Southwest Alabama, AL the median wage is $117,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Alabama, AL the median wage is $117,470. That is 13.6% lower than the national median of $135,980. Pay ranges from under $63,650 at the tenth percentile to more than $165,240 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $81,750 to $135,680.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.07 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Huntsville records the highest median at $128,080. Of the 252 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 13th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,650 | −53.2% |
| 25th | $81,750 | −39.9% |
| Median (50th) | $117,470 | −13.6% |
| 75th | $135,680 | −0.2% |
| 90th | $165,240 | +21.5% |
| Mean | $113,540 | −16.5% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $128,080 | 7,030 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $125,410 | 3,830 | |
| 3 | Mobile | $122,540 | 1,050 | |
| 4 | Daphne | $121,320 | 340 | |
| 5 | Auburn | $120,310 | 290 | |
| 6 | Florence | $116,260 | 130 | |
| 7 | Dothan | $115,580 | 160 | |
| 8 | Montgomery | $110,620 | 780 | |
| 9 | Decatur | $107,740 | 160 | |
| 10 | Tuscaloosa | $104,870 | 290 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $117,470 goes as far as $132,286 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$117,470as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$132,286US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $117,470 a year, 13.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,650 to $165,240 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $128,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Developers in Southwest Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $117,470, or $56.48 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 $135,980, so pay in Southwest Alabama, AL is 13.6% 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 $165,240 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,650 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 Huntsville, at $128,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 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.
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