Cook, Short Order Salary in Alabama (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$22,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$10.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-38% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#47 of 49
state estimate

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Alabama?

A Cook, Short Order working in Alabama earns a median salary of $22,330 per year, or about $10.74 per hour. That is 38% below the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $20,500 while the top 10% make $31,220 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $21,220 and $28,800 a year.

Cook, Short Order salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$20,500$9.86
25th percentile (early career)$21,220$10.20
50th percentile (median)$22,330$10.74
75th percentile (experienced)$28,800$13.85
90th percentile (top earners)$31,220$15.01

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 47th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Arizona$46,630
2Rhode Island$46,250
3Massachusetts$44,290
4Hawaii$43,110
5California$42,930

Working as a Cook, Short Order in Alabama

Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($22,330) 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, Short Order make in Alabama?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Alabama is $22,330 per year, or about $10.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,500 at the entry level to $31,220 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Cooks, Short Order about 38% less than the national median of $35,880. Alabama ranks 47th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $22,330 a year. 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, Short Order salary report

Related salaries

Cook, Fast Food

$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed

Fast Food and Counter Workers

$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed

Cook, All Other

$37,690
median pay · 19,000 employed

Cook, Private Household

$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed
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.