Cooks, Short Order salary in Birmingham, AL
Cooks, Short Order in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $23,160 a year ($11.14 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $21,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,720 for the top 10%. That is 35% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 4% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $22,330. The average (mean) salary is $25,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,500 | $10.34 |
| 25th percentile | $22,210 | $10.68 |
| Median | $23,160 | $11.14 |
| 75th percentile | $30,840 | $14.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $32,720 | $15.73 |
| Average (mean) | $25,950 | $12.48 |
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 | $1,930 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $965 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $890.77 |
| Weekly | $445.38 |
| Hourly | $11.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,020 | $12.99 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,670 | $13.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Bartender | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,320 | $11.21 |
| Dishwasher | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,840 | $14.83 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $23,160 a year, or $11.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,500 for the lowest-paid 10% to $32,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $32,720 a year. The top 25% earn $30,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,500 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $22,210 or less.