Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Alabama
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,940
- 25th Percentile — Junior$50,900
- 50th Percentile — Median$62,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$74,130
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$85,990
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama earn more than $62,400. The top 10% make $85,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,940.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Alabama ranks 31st of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $63,720 per year (4.5% below the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 1,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama — 0.5% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.37: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Alabama than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,940; the top 10% earn over $85,990.
- Hourly equivalent: $30.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Alabama, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($40,620).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Alabama
Key factors affecting compensation
Alabama's key industries are Automotive, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated moderate. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $63,720 on average, placing the state 31st nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a Alabama salary of $63,720 is roughly equivalent to $73,241 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Virginia ($65,320), West Virginia ($64,600), Wisconsin ($64,210) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Alabama
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $40,620/yr Alabama 36.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $33,000/yr Alabama 48.2% vs this role
- Bartenders $32,220/yr Alabama 49.4% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $27,870/yr Alabama 56.3% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $27,570/yr Alabama 56.7% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $27,200/yr Alabama 57.3% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $25,600/yr Alabama 59.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $24,330/yr Alabama 61.8% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama is $63,720 per year (median $62,400), which is 4.5% below the national average of $66,700.
How does Alabama rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Alabama ranks 31st out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Alabama?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama earn about $39,940 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,900.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Alabama?
About $30.63 per hour, based on the $63,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Alabama?
BLS counts 1,000 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Alabama (OEWS May 2025).
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