Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama
Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama earn a median of $62,400 a year ($30.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $62,470. Alabama ranks 23rd of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 0.47 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.37). The average (mean) salary is $63,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,940 | $19.20 |
| 25th percentile | $50,900 | $24.47 |
| Median | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| 75th percentile | $74,130 | $35.64 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
| Average (mean) | $63,720 | $30.64 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,200 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,600 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,400 |
| Weekly | $1,200 |
| Hourly | $30.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $68,830 | 40 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $68,830 | 90 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $65,900 | 70 |
| Huntsville, AL | $64,000 | 90 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,920 | 90 |
| Birmingham, AL | $62,760 | 240 |
| Montgomery, AL | $61,330 | 90 |
| Mobile, AL | $58,130 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| Bartender | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,130 | $12.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,470 | $10.80 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,990 | $11.05 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Alabama?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Alabama is $62,400 a year, or $30.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,940 for the lowest-paid 10% to $85,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Alabama?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Alabama earn at least $85,990 a year. The top 25% earn $74,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,940 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $50,900 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Alabama?
About 1,000 chefs and head cooks are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.