Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Alabama
In Alabama, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $30.00 an hour ($62,400 a year). About 1,000 people work in this job there.
That is about the same as the U.S. median ($62,470). Alabama ranks 23rd of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Alabama
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $19.20 | $39,940 |
| 25% of workers | $24.47 | $50,900 |
| Half of workers (median) | $30.00 | $62,400 |
| 75% of workers | $35.64 | $74,130 |
| 90% of workers | $41.34 | $85,990 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Alabama metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Auburn-Opelika | $68,830 | 40 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $68,830 | 90 |
| Tuscaloosa | $65,900 | 70 |
| Huntsville | $64,000 | 90 |
| Birmingham | $62,760 | 240 |
| Montgomery | $61,330 | 90 |
| Mobile | $58,130 | 100 |
Alabama unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,840 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 |
| Food Service Managers | $63,010 |
| Bakers | $34,030 |
| Food Batchmakers | $36,980 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.