Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Birmingham
In Birmingham (AL), the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $13.09 an hour ($27,220 a year). About 2,460 people work in this job there.
That is 27% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). It is about the same as the Alabama median ($27,120).
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Birmingham (AL)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.93 | $20,660 |
| 25% of workers | $10.01 | $20,810 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.09 | $27,220 |
| 75% of workers | $17.06 | $35,490 |
| 90% of workers | $19.04 | $39,600 |
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 (this page) | $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 Birmingham (AL)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,020 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,320 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $29,260 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,340 |
| Food Service Managers | $65,230 |
Other job titles for this job
Open cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring cooks, institution and cafeteria? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.