Payroll Specialist salary and cost of hiring in Alabama
The median payroll specialist in Alabama earned $46,170 a year in May 2025[1], 20.8% below the US median of $58,260. That puts Alabama at #49 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3051. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $32,210 | $46,170 | $64,170 | |
| United States | $39,500 | $58,260 | $81,350 |
The middle half of payroll specialists in Alabama earns $37,520–$55,030; the top tenth earns $64,170 or more, 2.0 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the Alabama median that makes about $65,957 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for payroll specialists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in Alabama
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $61,890 | 150 | |
| Birmingham, AL | $57,730 | 340 | |
| Decatur, AL | $60,330 | 40 | |
| Montgomery, AL | $52,420 | 130 | |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $57,280 | 40 | |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $53,070 | 40 | |
| Mobile, AL | $51,860 | 110 | |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $60,750 | 30 | |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $53,320 | 80 | |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $49,940 | 60 | |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $51,910 | 30 | |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $49,230 | 60 | |
| Dothan, AL | $46,090 | 40 |
Huntsville, AL pays the most ($52,020) and Dothan, AL the least ($38,550): $13,470 a year apart for the same job.
What a payroll specialist does
A payroll specialist prepares payroll runs, checks hours and deductions, keeps employee pay records and answers staff questions about their pay.
Neighbours in the ranking
| State | Median | vs Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | +3.3% | |
| West Virginia | +2.8% | |
| Alabama | +0.0% | |
| Arkansas | -0.1% | |
| Mississippi | -2.2% |
Questions
How much does a payroll specialist earn in Alabama?
The median was $46,170 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $37,520 to $55,030.
What does it cost to employ a payroll specialist in Alabama?
About $65,957 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in Alabama do payroll specialists earn the most?
Huntsville, AL, with a median of $52,020 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3051: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433051.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.