SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Northeast Alabama
Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay in Northeast Alabama, AL is $26,090 a year, 30.3% under the national median of $37,450 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Northeast Alabama, AL is $26,090 a year, 30.3% under the national median of $37,450 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $22,060 and $30,710. The lowest tenth earn under $19,500, while the highest tenth earn more than $34,570.
The area has 740 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 4.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Tuscaloosa records the highest median at $31,700. Of the 335 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 320th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,500 | −47.9% |
| 25th | $22,060 | −41.1% |
| Median (50th) | $26,090 | −30.3% |
| 75th | $30,710 | −18.0% |
| 90th | $34,570 | −7.7% |
| Mean | $26,430 | −29.4% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tuscaloosa | $31,700 | 470 | |
| 2 | Auburn | $29,680 | 260 | |
| 3 | Mobile | $28,580 | 630 | |
| 4 | Huntsville | $28,110 | 800 | |
| 5 | Dothan | $27,860 | 180 | |
| 6 | Daphne | $27,270 | 320 | |
| 7 | Birmingham | $27,220 | 2,460 | |
| 8 | Florence | $27,210 | 240 | |
| 9 | Anniston | $23,960 | 210 | |
| 10 | Decatur | $23,650 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northeast Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $26,090 goes as far as $29,381 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,381US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,090 a year, 30.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,500 to $34,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 740 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Tuscaloosa, at $31,700.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northeast Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $26,090, or $12.54 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 $37,450, so pay in Northeast Alabama, AL is 30.3% 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 $34,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,500 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 Tuscaloosa, at $31,700 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 740 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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