Registered Nurse Hourly Pay in Opelika, AL: $39.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a registered nurse working in Opelika, AL runs $39.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Weighted against Opelika's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,101 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Registered nursing in Opelika, Alabama, comes with a median hourly pay of $39.34, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49.39. This pay scale reflects the opportunities available for various employment scenarios such as part-time work, typically a three-day workweek, and per-diem positions. Nurses working on a part-time basis can expect to earn an hourly rate that translates into a steady income while allowing for flexibility. The hourly range for registered nurses varies from $30.12 at entry-level positions to $54.37 for those in more specialized roles or with years of experience. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlighting how Opelika’s cost of living, which is indexed at 87.9, aligns with its overall pay structure in the healthcare field.
About the Opelika Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Registered Nurse Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.12 | $240.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $33.70 | $269.59 |
| Median (P50) | $39.34 | $314.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.25 | $362.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.37 | $434.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Opelika
Based on $39.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.34/hr, a registered nurse working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Opelika, AL can expect to earn approximately $81,835 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,213. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Opelika.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Opelika
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,573.75 | $6,820 | $81,835 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $944.25 | $4,092 | $49,101 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $629.50 | $2,728 | $32,734 |
Compare RN Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Registered Nurse (Opelika) | $39.34 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.34 |
| Nursing Assistant (CNA) (National Avg) | $18.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner (National Avg) | $63.50 |
| Medical Assistant (National Avg) | $19.70 |
Registered Nurses in Opelika, AL earn a median of $81,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.34% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 0.30% above the Alabama state average of $81,587.
Registered Nurse Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.34/hr = $49,101/year (purchasing power: $55,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,835/year (purchasing power: $93,100).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Opelika (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for registered nurses in Opelika grew 33.1% from $28.07/hr (2019) to $37.36/hr (2025). At a 5.31% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.43/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem registered nurses can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Opelika metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Registered Nurse in Opelika
Focusing on part-time nurses, those working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to bring home around $45,679 annually, which offers a reasonable income for those desiring a work-life balance. Conversely, the lucrative world of per diem nursing provides a different financial scenario. Per diem registered nurses in Opelika often see rates between $50 and $80 per hour based on their specialties, while travel nurse contracts can yield an eye-popping range of $2,000 to $4,500 weekly, not to mention crisis rates that sometimes reach $5,000 to $8,000 for ICU roles in high-demand areas. Hourly rates vary significantly based on the type of employer; hospital systems, surgical specialty centers, and home healthcare agencies each have distinct pay structures. While some registered nurses may choose positions with lower hourly rates for the sake of health insurance benefits, others opt for higher pay without traditional benefits. For those looking to negotiate their hourly pay in Opelika, emphasizing specialty certifications, shift differentials, and the demand for certain nursing skills can effectively enhance their earning potential.
More salary data for Opelika, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for registered nurses in Opelika in 2026?
How much do part-time registered nurses make in Opelika?
Are registered nurses in Opelika paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time registered nurse make per year in Opelika?
Do registered nurses earn more per hour working part-time in Opelika?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for registered nurses in Opelika. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Opelika is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov