Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwest Alabama

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

Median annual salary $28,120 -23.6% vs national
Median hourly $13.52
10th percentile $20,800
90th percentile $36,130
Employed locally 370
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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Southwest Alabama
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,800
    25th
    $24,510
    50th (median)
    $28,120
    75th
    $35,100
    90th
    $36,130

    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 Southwest Alabama

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,380
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,650
    Waiters and Waitresses $19,950
    Food Preparation Workers $20,900
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $23,100

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Alabama is $13.52, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.90 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southwest Alabama is 23.6% 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 Southwest Alabama?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,800 per year in Southwest Alabama. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,510.