Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Alabama
Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama make a median of $62,670 a year, or about $30.13 an hour. The range runs from $37K at the entry level to $85K for experienced workers.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $63K get you in Alabama?
About chefs and head cooks
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Alabama
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $37K. Mid-career wages sit at $63K.Top earners bring in $85K or more - a $48K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $81K | +33% | 830 |
| Rhode Island | $79K | +30% | 700 |
| North Dakota | $77K | +26% | 90 |
| District of Columbia | $74K | +21% | 1,940 |
| Massachusetts | $71K | +17% | 5,330 |
| Washington | $70K | +14% | 3,840 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +14% | 6,060 |
| California | $67K | +9% | 26,500 |
| Delaware | $65K | +7% | 490 |
| Wyoming | $65K | +6% | 330 |
| New York | $64K | +5% | 15,420 |
| Vermont | $63K | +4% | 530 |
| Alabama | $63K | +3% | 1,280 |
| Connecticut | $63K | +3% | 3,600 |
| Maryland | $62K | +2% | 3,310 |
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Alabama numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Alabama?
The median is $62,670 a year - that works out to about $30.13 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $36,570, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $84,860. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $63K enough to live in Alabama?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,119/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom in this state rents for about $1,016/month (median of metro areas), which eats 24.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in Alabama?
Alabama has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $62,670 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.