Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Decatur, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Decatur, AL

Median annual salary $23,870 -34.5% vs national
Median hourly $11.47
10th percentile $17,560
90th percentile $35,800
Employed locally 270
National median $36,450

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $17,560
    25th
    $20,040
    50th (median)
    $23,870
    75th
    $29,310
    90th
    $35,800

    Decatur economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $63,987 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 37% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 63% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $48,080
    Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA $48,000
    Alaska $46,900
    Walla Walla, WA $45,940
    Central New Hampshire nonmetropolitan area $45,740

    Related occupations in Decatur, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $25,520
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,360
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,260
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,850
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,790
    Food Preparation Workers $23,730

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Decatur?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Decatur, AL is $11.47, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.88 or more per hour.

    Is Decatur above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Decatur, AL is 34.5% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Decatur?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $17,560 per year in Decatur, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,040.