Cook, Fast Food Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Fast Food in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$27,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.40
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#40 of 51
26,740 employed here

How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Alabama?

A Cook, Fast Food working in Alabama earns a median salary of $27,870 per year, or about $13.40 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $22,640 while the top 10% make $34,170 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $23,590 and $29,380 a year.

Cook, Fast Food salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$22,640$10.88
25th percentile (early career)$23,590$11.34
50th percentile (median)$27,870$13.40
75th percentile (experienced)$29,380$14.13
90th percentile (top earners)$34,170$16.43

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$48,120
2District of Columbia$44,670
3California$42,050
4Washington$39,120
5New Hampshire$38,590

Working as a Cook, Fast Food in Alabama

Nationally, about 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($27,870) 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 does a Cook, Fast Food make in Alabama?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Alabama is $27,870 per year, or about $13.40 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,640 at the entry level to $34,170 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Cooks, Fast Food about 10% less than the national median of $30,890. Alabama ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,870 a year. About 26,740 Cooks, Fast Food are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Cook, Fast Food salary report

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$34,810
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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.