IT Operations Engineer.
Birmingham.
$74,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$58,000 to $97,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median IT Operations Engineer salary in Birmingham is $74,000, 13% below the national average. Entry level starts near $58,000. Experienced professionals push past $97,000. Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. That spread is your negotiation window.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $67,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$48,000
to $59,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$63,000
to $78,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$81,000
to $96,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$93,000
to $115,000
Salary trend
+6% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $16,000 to the total package.
Base
$74,000
Equity
$9,000
Bonus
$6,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $90,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$74,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$85,000
Birmingham is $11,000 below
IT Operations Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
Birmingham is Alabama's largest metro, anchored by a major medical center, banking, and a growing innovation district. UAB is one of the state's largest employers and a driver of biomedical research jobs. The extremely low cost of living makes Birmingham a strong value for professionals in healthcare and finance. That is the backdrop for every IT Operations Engineer offer you will see here.
One thing people overlook: taxes. Alabama's top state income tax rate is 5%. Birmingham has no city income tax. The low rate combined with very affordable housing creates excellent take home pay ratios. The salary on the offer letter is not the salary in your bank account. Always model your take home before you accept.
On negotiation: Leverage UAB and the medical corridor when negotiating. Healthcare and biotech roles command nationally competitive salaries even in this low cost market. The range for IT Operations Engineers in Birmingham runs from $58,000 to $97,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Physical Therapist in Birmingham earns $73,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Principal AI Research Scientist at $297,000
Common questions.
IT Operations Engineer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
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