Average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Birmingham, AL
In Birmingham, AL, Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earn an average annual salary of $27,930. This figure is notably lower than the national average of $38,130. Local economic factors and the specific demand within the Birmingham market contribute to this salary differential, reflecting a distinct regional compensation structure for this vital role.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $27,930 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 0.0% ↘ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,590.
- Outlook: Birmingham boasts a substantial local workforce of 2,360 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, with a jobs-per-1,000-workers rate of 4.554. The Location Quotient of 1.57 indicates a higher concentration of these roles compared to the national average, suggesting a robust and potentially growing demand for culinary professionals in institutional and cafeteria settings within the city.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Birmingham, AL earns-26.8%below the national average.
$13.4
$537
$2,328
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Birmingham's institutional cooks is not provided, it's reasonable to assume a general trend of salary growth over the past four years, mirroring national patterns. Economic recovery and increased operational needs in food service sectors often correlate with upward adjustments in compensation, even in localized markets.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary Distribution in Birmingham, AL
Career progression for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Birmingham typically involves a salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while senior cooks with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, reflecting the typical percentile gaps seen in career advancement.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $20,040 | $9.6 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $20,948 | $10.1 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $27,280 | $13.1 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $34,913 | $16.8 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $37,590 | $18.1 |
Detailed Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$27,930
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$27,930
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $27,930 in Birmingham aligns precisely with the national Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal income is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of this salary within Birmingham is comparable to the national average, suggesting that the lower pay is offset by a neutral cost of living.
Job Market Context
2,360
Total Jobs
4.554
Per 1K Jobs
1.57
Location Quotient
Birmingham, AL has 1.6x the national concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
With a Location Quotient of 1.57, Birmingham exhibits a concentration of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs that is 57% higher than the national average. This suggests a more competitive market for employers seeking talent, and potentially more opportunities for job seekers in this specific culinary niche within the city.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Tuscaloosa, AL Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $30,250↑ 8% | 47 mi |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $25,070↓ 10% | 50 mi |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $25,310↓ 9% | 50 mi |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $24,480↓ 12% | 50 mi |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary | $24,330↓ 13% | 50 mi |
Comparing salaries near Birmingham, AL
Hiring Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Birmingham, AL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Birmingham, AL is $27,930. This typically ranges from $20,040 for entry-level positions to $37,590 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Birmingham, AL is 26.8% lower than the national median of $38,130.
Is Birmingham, AL a lucrative place for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
No, not strictly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Birmingham ($27,930) is significantly below the national average ($38,130).
Is Birmingham, AL a good place to live for Cooks, Institution and Cafeterias?
The Cost of Living Index in Birmingham, AL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Birmingham, AL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Tuscaloosa, AL ($30,250) and Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area.
How does Birmingham's cost of living compare nationally?
Birmingham's Cost of Living Index is 100, which is exactly the national average, indicating that the general cost of goods and services is neither higher nor lower than the typical US city.
What does a Location Quotient of 1.57 mean for cooks in Birmingham?
A Location Quotient of 1.57 signifies that Birmingham has a higher concentration of institutional and cafeteria cooks than the national average, implying greater demand or a more established presence of these roles in the local job market.
Are there many jobs for institutional cooks in Birmingham?
Yes, with 4.554 jobs per 1,000 workers and a total local workforce of 2,360 in this category, Birmingham offers a notable number of opportunities for cooks in institutional and cafeteria settings.
How does the salary for cooks in Birmingham compare to other states?
The average salary of $27,930 in Birmingham is below the national average. Salaries can vary significantly by state, with some states offering higher compensation due to different economic conditions, cost of living, and demand.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,360 employees in the Birmingham, AL area with a job density of 4.554 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Birmingham, AL
- All Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Production Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Business and Financial Operations Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Management Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Birmingham, AL
- Browse All Jobs in Birmingham, AL →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Birmingham, AL