Alabama Median
$62,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+-0% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#23 of 51
1,000 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Alabama?
Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama take home a median of $62,400 annually — roughly $30.00 an hour — which runs 0% above the national median of $62,470.
Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $39,940 while the top 10% make $85,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,900 and $74,130 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in Alabama
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,940 | $19.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,900 | $24.47 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,130 | $35.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $85,990 | $41.34 |
|
How Alabama compares
Alabama ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860New York $70,670Tennessee $69,810Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440Colorado $65,400California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama
Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($62,400) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Alabama?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama is $62,400 per year, or about $30.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,940 at the entry level to $85,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 0% more than the national median of $62,470. Alabama ranks 23rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — Alabama pays above the national median for this occupation, at $62,400 a year. About 1,000 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in Alabama. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.