SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Northeast Alabama
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
At $60,110, median pay for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northeast Alabama, AL tracks the national median of $62,470 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $60,110, median pay for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northeast Alabama, AL tracks the national median of $62,470 closely. Pay ranges from under $48,870 at the tenth percentile to more than $82,280 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,870 to $76,090.
Employment stands at 100, or 0.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Auburn records the highest median at $68,830. Of the 335 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 105th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,870 | −21.8% |
| 25th | $48,870 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $60,110 | −3.8% |
| 75th | $76,090 | +21.8% |
| 90th | $82,280 | +31.7% |
| Mean | $63,460 | +1.6% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Auburn | $68,830 | 40 | |
| 2 | Daphne | $68,830 | 90 | |
| 3 | Tuscaloosa | $65,900 | 70 | |
| 4 | Huntsville | $64,000 | 90 | |
| 5 | Birmingham | $62,760 | 240 | |
| 6 | Montgomery | $61,330 | 90 | |
| 7 | Mobile | $58,130 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $60,110 goes as far as $67,691 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$60,110as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,691US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $60,110 a year, 3.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,870 to $82,280 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Auburn, at $68,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Northeast Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $60,110, or $28.90 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Northeast Alabama, AL is 3.8% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northeast Alabama, AL earns more than $82,280 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,870 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Auburn, at $68,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in Northeast Alabama, AL. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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