SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Dothan, AL

Cooks in Dothan, Alabama, earn an average annual salary of $30,560. This figure sits below the national average of $37,700, reflecting localized economic conditions and demand specific to the Dothan area. Factors such as the regional cost of living and the concentration of restaurant establishments significantly influence this pay scale.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $30,560 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 20.6% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $38,720.
  • Outlook: The Dothan, AL market for Cooks, Restaurant shows a stable presence, with a total local workforce of 580 individuals. The Location Quotient of 1.02 indicates that the concentration of these roles in Dothan is very close to the national average, suggesting a consistent, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for culinary professionals within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$30,560

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Dothan, AL earns-18.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.7

Weekly

$588

Monthly

$2,547

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Dothan, AL

Salary progression for Cooks, Restaurant in Dothan, AL, typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned chefs and kitchen managers with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reaching into the top percentiles, indicating clear career advancement opportunities.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,110$10.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,920$11
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$28,500$13.7
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$38,200$18.4
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$38,720$18.6

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$30,560

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$30,560

Adjusted for COL (100)

The nominal average annual salary of $30,560 in Dothan, AL, aligns precisely with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the take-home pay is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary within Dothan is comparable to the national average, making the lower nominal wage more palatable.

Job Market Context

580

Total Jobs

9.578

Per 1K Jobs

1.02

Location Quotient

Above Average

With a location quotient of 1.02, Dothan, AL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.

With a Location Quotient of 1.02, Dothan, AL, presents a job market for Cooks, Restaurant that is nearly identical in concentration to the national average. This suggests a balanced market where the number of available positions is proportionate to the number of workers in the field, indicating neither a significant surplus nor a critical shortage of culinary talent.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$34,710↑ 14%72 mi
Albany, GA Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,140↓ 1%76 mi
Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$36,800↑ 20%77 mi
Tallahassee, FL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,340↑ 9%87 mi
Montgomery, AL Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,330↑ 3%92 mi

Comparing salaries near Dothan, AL

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Dothan, AL?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Dothan, AL is $30,560. This typically ranges from $22,110 for entry-level positions to $38,720 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Dothan, AL is 18.9% lower than the national median of $37,700.

Is Dothan, AL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

No, not exceptionally lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $30,560 is below the national average, although the cost of living is also at the national average, mitigating the impact of lower nominal pay.

Is Dothan, AL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?

The Cost of Living Index in Dothan, AL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Dothan, AL?

Some top paying nearby cities include Panama City-Panama City Beach, FL ($34,710) and Albany, GA.

How does Dothan's cook salary compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Dothan, AL is $30,560, which is lower than the national average of $37,700.

What is the Cost of Living in Dothan, AL?

Dothan, AL has a Cost of Living Index of 100, which is exactly the national average.

How many Cooks, Restaurant work in Dothan, AL?

There are approximately 580 Cooks, Restaurant employed in Dothan, AL.

Is there high demand for Cooks, Restaurant in Dothan, AL?

The demand is consistent with the national average, as indicated by a Location Quotient of 1.02, suggesting a stable job market rather than a high-demand scenario.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 580 employees in the Dothan, AL area with a job density of 9.578 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Dothan, AL