Cooks, Short Order salary in Alabama
Cooks, Short Order in Alabama earn a median of $22,330 a year ($10.74 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $20,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,220 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $35,880. Alabama ranks 47th of 49 states for cooks, short order pay. The average (mean) salary is $24,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,500 | $9.86 |
| 25th percentile | $21,220 | $10.20 |
| Median | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| 75th percentile | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| Average (mean) | $24,860 | $11.95 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $1,860.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $930.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $858.85 |
| Weekly | $429.42 |
| Hourly | $10.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $23,160 | n/a |
| Huntsville, AL | $22,510 | 320 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $22,330 | 190 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $22,110 | 150 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $21,860 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $21,840 | n/a |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $21,480 | 90 |
| Dothan, AL | $21,250 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
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, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| 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 35-2015. 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, short order make in Alabama?
The median salary for cooks, short order in Alabama is $22,330 a year, or $10.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $31,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Alabama?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in Alabama earn at least $31,220 a year. The top 25% earn $28,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,500 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $21,220 or less.