Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Alabama
In Alabama, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $13.04 an hour ($27,120 a year). About 8,780 people work in this job there.
That is 28% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Alabama ranks 50th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Alabama
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.63 | $20,040 |
| 25% of workers | $10.40 | $21,630 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.04 | $27,120 |
| 75% of workers | $16.01 | $33,300 |
| 90% of workers | $18.25 | $37,960 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Alabama metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa | $31,700 | 470 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $29,680 | 260 |
| Mobile | $28,580 | 630 |
| Huntsville | $28,110 | 800 |
| Dothan | $27,860 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $27,270 | 320 |
| Birmingham | $27,220 | 2,460 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $27,210 | 240 |
| Anniston-Oxford | $23,960 | 210 |
| Decatur | $23,650 | 220 |
| Montgomery | $23,080 | 750 |
| Gadsden | $22,480 | 190 |
Alabama unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $27,930 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 |
| Food Service Managers | $63,010 |
| Bakers | $34,030 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,400 |
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.