Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Alabama
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Alabama earn a median of $27,120 a year ($13.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 8,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $37,450. Alabama ranks 50th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 4.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $27,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,040 | $9.63 |
| 25th percentile | $21,630 | $10.40 |
| Median | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| 75th percentile | $33,300 | $16.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Average (mean) | $27,870 | $13.40 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,260 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,130 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,043.08 |
| Weekly | $521.54 |
| Hourly | $13.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $31,940 | 350 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $31,700 | 470 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $29,680 | 260 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,580 | 630 |
| Huntsville, AL | $28,110 | 800 |
| Dothan, AL | $27,860 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $27,270 | 320 |
| Birmingham, AL | $27,220 | 2,460 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,210 | 240 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $23,960 | 210 |
| Decatur, AL | $23,650 | 220 |
| Montgomery, AL | $23,080 | 750 |
| Gadsden, AL | $22,480 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| 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 35-2012. 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 cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Alabama?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alabama is $27,120 a year, or $13.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Alabama?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alabama earn at least $37,960 a year. The top 25% earn $33,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,040 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $21,630 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Alabama?
About 8,780 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.