Alabama ranks 14th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $18,530 — a 30% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $36,570 to $84,860 — a $48,290 spread, 20% tighter than the national $60,030 range.
Chefs and Head Cooks are less concentrated in Alabama than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.52 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.92× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $36,570 | $17.58 |
| 25th percentile | $52,290 | $25.14 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| 75th percentile | $73,650 | $35.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $84,860 | $40.80 |
| Mean (average) | $63,800 | $30.67 |
How Alabama Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Alabama |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama (current) | $62,670 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +30% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +26% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +22% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +18% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +14% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +11% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +11% |
| California | $66,780 | +7% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Alabama
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Human Resources Specialists | $62,770 | 11,200 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $62,500 | 19,250 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $62,400 | 4,050 |
| Web Developers | $62,990 | 790 |
| Insurance Sales Agents | $63,060 | 7,900 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $62,240 | 3,260 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in Alabama is $63,800 per year. The median (middle) salary is $62,670 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Alabama?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in Alabama typically earn around $36,570 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $52,290 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Alabama?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Alabama make approximately $84,860 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $73,650 per year.
How does the Alabama Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in Alabama is $62,670, which is +3% above national average of $60,990.