Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

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

Median annual salary $29,940 -17.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.40
10th percentile $20,770
90th percentile $37,600
Employed locally 540
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,770
    25th
    $25,360
    50th (median)
    $29,940
    75th
    $34,590
    90th
    $37,600

    Tuscaloosa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,975 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 50% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 50% 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 Tuscaloosa, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$23,850
    Waiters and Waitresses$22,740
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,600
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,340
    Food Preparation Workers$28,800

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tuscaloosa, AL is $14.40, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.59 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is 17.9% 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 Tuscaloosa?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $20,770 per year in Tuscaloosa, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,360.