SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — Southeast Alabama
Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Alabama, AL is $30,320 per year, 18.9% below the national median of $37,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Alabama, AL is $30,320 per year, 18.9% below the national median of $37,390. Half of workers earn between $26,820 and $34,740. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $22,250 and the ninetieth at $36,640.
Employment stands at 470, or 5.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Huntsville records the highest median at $35,520. Of the 272 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 232nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,250 | −40.5% |
| 25th | $26,820 | −28.3% |
| Median (50th) | $30,320 | −18.9% |
| 75th | $34,740 | −7.1% |
| 90th | $36,640 | −2.0% |
| Mean | $31,130 | −16.7% |
Other metro areas in Alabama
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntsville | $35,520 | 1,800 | |
| 2 | Birmingham | $34,340 | 4,020 | |
| 3 | Daphne | $33,850 | 1,600 | |
| 4 | Montgomery | $33,070 | 1,280 | |
| 5 | Mobile | $33,030 | 1,310 | |
| 6 | Decatur | $32,410 | 380 | |
| 7 | Tuscaloosa | $30,690 | 890 | |
| 8 | Auburn | $30,580 | 760 | |
| 9 | Florence | $30,350 | 590 | |
| 10 | Anniston | $29,850 | 390 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southeast Alabama run 11.2% below the national average, so the median of $30,320 goes as far as $34,144 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,320as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,144US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,320 a year, 18.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,250 to $36,640 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 470 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntsville, at $35,520.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southeast Alabama, AL?
The median annual wage is $30,320, or $14.58 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 $37,390, so pay in Southeast Alabama, AL is 18.9% 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 Southeast Alabama, AL earns more than $36,640 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,250 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 Huntsville, at $35,520 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 470 jobs in this occupation in Southeast 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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