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Whether you are just beginning to research what a nurse practitioner does, are in school to become an NP, or are a practicing NP, learning everything you can about increasing nurse practitioner salary in Alabama is something you’re most likely interested in if you hail from the “Yellowhammer State.”
How Much Do Nurse Practitioners in Alabama Earn?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national mean annual wage for a nurse practitioner is $128,490. Alabama’s mean wage for nurse practitioners is 13% less at $110,020.
Demand for nurse practitioners in Alabama remains strong, and it is one of the fastest-growing careers among all healthcare careers in the state, says the Alabama Department of Labor. So, while it’s true you may be able to earn more as a nurse practitioner in a state other than Alabama, there are things you can do to bolster your income while staying put in the state that really needs your services.
Alabama Nurse Practitioner Salaries – Visualized
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in urban areas of Alabama
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Anniston-Oxford-Jacksonville, AL | 80 | $116,100 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | 100 | $105,430 |
| Birmingham-Hoover, AL | 970 | $113,770 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | 140 | $111,190 |
| Decatur, AL | 130 | $108,460 |
| Dothan, AL | 200 | $102,340 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | 140 | $100,250 |
| Gadsden, AL | 110 | $110,020 |
| Huntsville, AL | 690 | $107,900 |
| Mobile, AL | 310 | $105,880 |
| Montgomery, AL | 220 | $112,480 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | 220 | $107,610 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Nurse Practitioners Salaries in rural areas of Alabama
| Metro Area | # Employed | Mean Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | 150 | $111,410 |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | 250 | $109,350 |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | 120 | $110,700 |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | 140 | $111,390 | Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics - 2023 |
Increasing Alabama Nursing Practitioner Salary Through Education
Earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice is one way to increase your nurse practitioner salary, but it is not the only way.
Alabama nurse practitioners are required to complete 24 hours of continuing education every two years to renew their license. CE courses for nurse practitioners are a great way to gain new knowledge in the field and make yourself more marketable. The Alabama Board of Nursing, Alabama State Nurses Association, and the American Association of Nurse Practitioners all provide information about continuing education opportunities, many of which are available online. Myriad topics exist, but some of the best nurse practitioner CE offerings include courses about HIPAA, substance abuse, suicide prevention, diabetes, infection prevention and control, trauma nursing, COVID-19, leadership and administration, and more.
Obtaining additional certifications in a new specialty area can also improve your professional desirability, and thus your salary. There are scores of nursing certifications from which to choose. Some of the most sought-after certifications for nurse practitioners in Alabama are Adult-Gerontology Primary Care, Nurse Anesthetist, Pediatrics, Neonatal Care, HIV/AIDS, Psychiatric Mental Health, Critical Care, Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Dermatology.
Consider a Side Hustle
Whether it is for extra cash or just for fun, there’s been no better time than now for gig work. Freelance writing or blogging, vaccine clinics, becoming a CPR instructor, and even selling your scrubs are all ways to make extra money as a nurse practitioner. Some particularly crafty NPs have found fun and success selling hand-crafted items like badge reels, face mask covers, t-shirts, and more on platforms like Etsy, eBay, or Facebook.
Consider Relocation
Due to being one of the lowest-paying states for NPs, it is a possibility that a lucrative future as a nurse practitioner may not be in Sweet Home Alabama. As a reduced practice state, the restrictions imposed on practitioners could limit entrepreneurial NPs who aspire to independent practice.
If you decide that increasing your nurse practitioner salary in Alabama is a no-go, and you want to look for jobs elsewhere, be sure to arm yourself with the average nurse practitioner salary by state to maximize your bargaining power.