Technology Birmingham, AL Pop. 197,575

Software Engineer Salary in Birmingham, Alabama

The median software engineer salary in Birmingham, AL is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 3.7% above the Alabama state average.

City Median
$105,570
vs State Avg
+$3,726
vs National
$-18,630
Cost of Living
90%

Software Engineer Pay in Birmingham: What to Expect (2026)

Birmingham offers a median software engineer salary of $105,570, which is $3,726 above the Alabama state average of $101,844. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Birmingham pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Birmingham's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Birmingham spans from $63,410 at the 10th percentile to $168,793 at the 90th percentile — a $105,383 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $66,300, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $157,250. With a population of 197,575, Birmingham is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Birmingham by Experience

In Birmingham, an entry-level software engineer earns around $66,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $157,250 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$66,300
$-11,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$106,250
$-18,750 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$157,250
$-27,750 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Birmingham, AL

Percentile Birmingham
10th Percentile $63,410
25th Percentile $83,470
Median (50th) $105,570
75th Percentile $134,470
90th Percentile $168,793

Software Engineer Salary in Other Alabama Cities

Huntsville, AL
$108,054
Pop. 216,963
Tuscaloosa, AL
$103,086
Pop. 101,129
Montgomery, AL
$100,602
Pop. 200,603
Mobile, AL
$99,360
Pop. 187,041

How to Become a Software Engineer in Birmingham

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Birmingham and the surrounding Alabama area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Birmingham may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Birmingham

Browse open software engineer positions in Birmingham, AL:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Birmingham

How much does a Software Engineer make in Birmingham, AL? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $105,570 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $63,410 (10th percentile) to $168,793 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Birmingham? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $105,570, a software engineer in Birmingham earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Birmingham compare to the Alabama state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Birmingham's median software engineer salary of $105,570 is 3.7% above the Alabama state average of $101,844. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Birmingham, AL? ▼
Birmingham has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $105,570 in Birmingham has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Birmingham? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Birmingham require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.