Public Health Officer.
Birmingham.
$64,000
median salary, 18% below the national average
$49,000 to $83,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Public Health Officer salary in Birmingham is $64,000, 18% below the national average. Entry level starts near $49,000. Experienced professionals push past $83,000. 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 $57,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$42,000
to $51,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$54,000
to $67,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$70,000
to $83,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$80,000
to $99,000
Salary trend
+7% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $13,000 to the total package.
Base
$64,000
Equity
$7,000
Bonus
$5,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $77,000
How Birmingham compares
Birmingham, AL
$64,000
Cost of living: 16% below average
National Average
$78,000
Birmingham is $14,000 below
Public Health Officer salary by city
Salary by role in Birmingham
What you should know
If you are interviewing for Public Health Officer roles in Birmingham, here is what you are walking into. 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. Degree level and jurisdictional scope are the primary drivers. MPH holders earn 15 to 25% more than bachelor's-level staff, and MD or DrPH credentials push salaries higher. Federal agencies (CDC, NIH) pay more than state or local health departments. Epidemiology and biostatistics specializations command premiums over general public health administration.
Entry-level public health analysts start at $60,000 to $70,000. Mid-level epidemiologists and program managers earn $78,000 to $102,000 after four to six years. Health department directors reach $110,000 to $150,000, with state health officers earning $140,000 to $200,000. In Birmingham, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 16% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Federal public health officers receive GS-scale pay, locality adjustments, TSP retirement matching, and generous leave accrual. Commissioned Corps officers in the USPHS receive military-equivalent benefits including tax-free housing allowances and early retirement eligibility. And on the tax side: 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. When someone quotes you $64,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
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 Public Health Officers in Birmingham runs from $49,000 to $83,000. 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 Water Resource Specialist in Birmingham earns $63,000 (2% less)
- The highest-paying role in Birmingham is Chief AI Officer at $263,000
Common questions.
Public Health Officer salary in other cities
Other salaries in Birmingham
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