Human Resources Degree in Birmingham, AL — Salary & ROI 2026
Human Resources degree analysis for Birmingham, AL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.
Starting Salary
$44K
COL-adjusted
Mid-Career
$69K
COL-adjusted
ROI Payback
6.2 yrs
in Birmingham
Cost of Living
88
index (100 = avg)
Human Resources in Birmingham, AL Overview
Birmingham, Alabama (pop. 200,733) has 10 colleges offering Human Resources programs. The local cost of living index of 88 keeps student expenses low, with average rent near campus at $1,041/month. Human Resources enrollment is stable nationwide, with steady demand for graduates skilled in Recruiting and Employee Relations. The adjusted starting salary in Birmingham is approximately $44,000, growing to $68,640 by mid-career.
Category
Business
Local Colleges
10
Public Tuition
$10,440/yr
Private Tuition
$36,380/yr
Room & Board
$10,096/yr
Avg Fin. Aid
$14,275/yr
Unemployment
5.9%
Graduation Rate
68%
Human Resources Salary in Birmingham (COL-Adjusted)
Salaries adjusted for Birmingham's cost of living index of 88 (national average = 100).
Note: National average Human Resources salary: $50,000 starting, $78,000 mid-career, $100,000 senior level.Birmingham adjustment factor: 0.88x based on the local cost of living index.
Human Resources ROI Calculator for Birmingham
Estimate your return on investment for a Human Resources degree using local Birmingham tuition and cost of living data.
Public avg: $10,440 | Private avg: $36,380
Birmingham avg aid: $14,275/yr
Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%
Total Education Cost
$82,144
tuition + room & board - aid
Annual Earnings Premium
$13,200
vs HS diploma in Birmingham
ROI Payback Period
6.2 years
to break even
Lifetime Return in Birmingham
$357,856
Lifetime earnings premium ($440,000) minus total education cost ($82,144)
Student Loan Payoff for Human Resources in Birmingham
Standard Plan (10 years)
Aggressive Plan (5 years)
Colleges in Birmingham for Human Resources
University of Alabama at Birmingham
public
$10,440/yr
$41,760 total
Samford University
private
$36,380/yr
$145,520 total
Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)
Jefferson State Community College
$4,800/yr
Top Employers for Human Resources in Birmingham
Birmingham offers opportunities in Financial services, Consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies for Human Resources graduates. National top employers in this field include:
Key Birmingham Hiring Sectors for Business
Financial services
Consulting firms
Fortune 500 companies
Startups
Marketing agencies
Common Human Resources Job Titles
Human Resources in Nearby Alabama Cities
Huntsville, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
21 colleges
Montgomery, AL
$46K starting · COL 92
21 colleges
Mobile, AL
$49K starting · COL 98
12 colleges
Tuscaloosa, AL
$39K starting · COL 78
8 colleges
Hoover, AL
$48K starting · COL 95.8
4 colleges
Auburn, AL
$52K starting · COL 103
2 colleges
Dothan, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.5
3 colleges
Decatur, AL
$41K starting · COL 82.8
3 colleges
Other Business Majors in Birmingham
Business Analytics
$69K starting · 2 yr ROI
Finance
$62K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Economics
$57K starting · 4 yr ROI
Information Systems
$44K starting · 3.3 yr ROI
Supply Chain Management
$44K starting · 3.5 yr ROI
Operations Management
$44K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Accounting
$55K starting · 3.8 yr ROI
Real Estate
$44K starting · 4 yr ROI
Human Resources Degree in Birmingham — FAQ
Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.
Explore More
Compare Human Resources ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Birmingham.