๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 89 โ€” Very Affordable

Salaries in Mobile, AL

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$66,906
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$74,839
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$152,607
1BR Rent
$890
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Mobile: you can make a six-figure salary here and live like a king, but the cityโ€™s median income tells a very different, more complicated story. Itโ€™s a place of sharp financial contrasts.

With a cost of living index of 89.4, your paycheck stretches much further than the national average. That $152,600 marketing manager salary feels like a national-level income once you adjust for local prices, boosting its real purchasing power to over $170,000. Itโ€™s a genuine bargain if youโ€™re in the right field.

Mobileโ€™s economy is anchored by the port, aerospace (think Airbus and its suppliers), and healthcare. Youโ€™ll find a lot of construction managers and project managers thriving here, feeding off that industrial and shipping growth. The 3.1% unemployment rate shows the job market is tight, especially for skilled trades and technical roles. Itโ€™s not just about the big employers, though; the entire ecosystem supports them.

But hereโ€™s the honest take: while the top-tier jobs offer incredible value, the median household income of just over $50,000 lags behind. Wages for many havenโ€™t kept pace with the slow creep in living costs, even if itโ€™s still cheaper than most places. This city works best if youโ€™re in a high-demand profession or have a dual-income household. Itโ€™s less forgiving if youโ€™re starting out in a lower-paying field.

The numbers below will lay out exactly where the money is and what your salary can actually buy here.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Mobile

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$152,607
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $170,701
โฑ Hourly $73.37/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 365
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$131,704
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $147,320
โฑ Hourly $63.32/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 365
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,213
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $137,822
โฑ Hourly $59.24/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 1K
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$104,768
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $117,190
โฑ Hourly $50.37/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 365
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,059
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $109,686
โฑ Hourly $47.14/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 365

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Mobile

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (89/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $152,607
2 Pharmacist $131,704
3 Software Developer $123,213
4 Construction Manager $104,768
5 Project Manager $98,059
6 Physical Therapist $96,539
7 Financial Analyst $95,861
8 Web Developer $89,800
9 Dental Hygienist $84,746
10 Accountant $83,342
11 Registered Nurse $83,332
12 Data Analyst $80,709
13 Police Officer $72,527
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,498
15 Elementary School Teacher $61,645
16 Plumber $61,335
17 Paralegal $60,754
18 Electrician $59,592
19 Real Estate Agent $59,524
20 Graphic Designer $59,389
21 Firefighter $55,303
22 Carpenter $55,109
23 HVAC Technician $53,899
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,401
25 Loan Officer $48,410
26 Nail Technician $48,410
27 Cosmetologist $48,410
28 Personal Trainer $48,410
29 Chef/Head Cook $48,410
30 Auto Mechanic $48,410
31 Social Worker $48,410
32 Veterinary Technician $48,410
33 Pharmacy Technician $48,410
34 Dental Assistant $48,410
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,410
36 Insurance Agent $48,410
37 Welder $48,013
38 Medical Assistant $37,053
39 Security Guard $34,990
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $34,622

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Mobile

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$890/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,094/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$235,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.1%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$50,156
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
35%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
89
Very Affordable

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Mobile?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Mobile. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Mobile Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Mobile, AL?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Mobile is $66,906. This is 33% higher than the median household income of $50,156. The Cost of Living Index is 89.4, meaning expenses are 10.6% below the national average.

What jobs pay the most in Mobile?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Marketing Manager at $152,607. This salary is 128% higher than the city's average of $66,906. It is also 204% higher than the median household income of $50,156.

Is Mobile affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $152,607 is highly affordable in Mobile. With a Cost of Living Index of 89.4, your purchasing power is 10.6% higher than the national average. A 1BR apartment costs $890/month, which is only 7% of the pre-tax monthly income.

How does Mobile's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Mobile's Cost of Living Index of 89.4 means your paycheck has 10.6% more purchasing power than the national average. For example, a $66,906 salary in Mobile would feel like $74,000 nationally. The most significant factor is housing, with 1BR rent at $890/month.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Mobile?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, a single person should target a salary around $66,906, which is the city's average. This salary covers a 1BR rent of $890/month (16% of income) well below the recommended 30% threshold. The Cost of Living Index of 89.4 makes this income stretch further than in most U.S. cities.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Mobile Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Mobile is a financially solid bet if youโ€™re strategic. With a cost-of-living index of 89.4 and rent at $890, your paycheck stretches further than in most cities. The average salary of $66,906 goes a long way here, but the real standout is the Marketing Manager roleโ€”topping out at $152,607 and a COL-adjusted $170,701. Thatโ€™s serious value.

Who benefits most? Healthcare workers and skilled trades will find steady, well-paying demand, while tech pros can leverage remote work to maximize Mobileโ€™s low costs. Marketing managers, clearly, are in the sweet spot.

My advice? Before you move, secure a remote-capable role or a local job that pays at least $70k. That way, youโ€™re not just survivingโ€”youโ€™re thriving. Mobile isnโ€™t a glitzy boomtown, but for the right person, itโ€™s a financially savvy home base.

Explore Mobile Further