Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Northwest Alabama

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $28,230 -23.4% vs national
Median hourly $13.57
10th percentile $20,940
90th percentile $38,230
Employed locally 410
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Northwest Alabama
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,940
    25th
    $25,260
    50th (median)
    $28,230
    75th
    $33,390
    90th
    $38,230

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Northwest Alabama

    OccupationMedian salary
    Cooks, Fast Food$23,250
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,520
    Waiters and Waitresses$21,160
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$33,210
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$22,980
    Food Preparation Workers$22,000

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Northwest Alabama?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Northwest Alabama is $13.57, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.69 or more per hour.

    Is Northwest Alabama above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Northwest Alabama is 23.4% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Northwest Alabama?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,940 per year in Northwest Alabama. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,260.