Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Cooks in Tuscaloosa, AL, earn an average annual salary of $31,690. This figure is notably below the national average of $37,700, suggesting that local market dynamics, such as demand and the cost of doing business, play a significant role in compensation within this Southern city. The specific economic landscape of Tuscaloosa influences the pay scale for restaurant professionals.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $31,690 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 46.8% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $37,640.
- Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,040 Cooks, Restaurant, Tuscaloosa exhibits a concentration (Location Quotient) of 1.01, indicating a job market that closely mirrors the national average in terms of its prevalence. This suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for culinary professionals within the city's restaurant sector, providing a consistent employment base for those in the field.
Salary Overview
The average Cooks, Restaurant in Tuscaloosa, AL earns-15.9%below the national average.
$15.2
$609
$2,641
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for Tuscaloosa's Cooks is not provided, it is reasonable to assume that salaries in this role have experienced gradual growth over the past four years, mirroring general economic trends and inflation. This upward movement, though potentially modest, would reflect an ongoing effort to retain staff and adapt to evolving labor market conditions.
Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Tuscaloosa, AL
Salary progression for Cooks in Tuscaloosa, like elsewhere, is typically tied to experience and skill level. Entry-level positions will command salaries at the lower end of the spectrum, while seasoned chefs with extensive experience and specialized culinary talents can expect to earn significantly more, potentially reaching the higher percentiles of the salary range. These percentile gaps highlight clear opportunities for career advancement.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $23,140 | $11.1 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $23,768 | $11.4 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $30,340 | $14.6 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $39,613 | $19 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $37,640 | $18.1 |
Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$31,690
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$31,690
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $31,690 in Tuscaloosa aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a Cook's salary in Tuscaloosa is effectively equivalent to the national average, offering no significant advantage or disadvantage in terms of affordability compared to the rest of the country.
Job Market Context
1,040
Total Jobs
9.555
Per 1K Jobs
1.01
Location Quotient
With a location quotient of 1.01, Tuscaloosa, AL has a slightly higher-than-average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant roles compared to the national norm.
A Location Quotient of 1.01 for Cooks, Restaurant in Tuscaloosa signifies a market that is very closely aligned with the national average in terms of job concentration. This suggests that the demand for cooks is neither exceptionally high nor particularly low relative to other occupations, indicating a balanced and competitive job market where opportunities are present but not overwhelmingly abundant.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $32,610↑ 3% | 47 mi |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $29,670↓ 6% | 52 mi |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $28,670↓ 10% | 52 mi |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $29,240↓ 8% | 52 mi |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary | $29,680↓ 6% | 52 mi |
Comparing salaries near Tuscaloosa, AL
Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tuscaloosa, AL is $31,690. This typically ranges from $23,140 for entry-level positions to $37,640 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Tuscaloosa, AL is 15.9% lower than the national median of $37,700.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?
No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.While the cost of living is average, the average salary for Cooks in Tuscaloosa is below the national average, indicating less lucrative earning potential in this specific role.
Is Tuscaloosa, AL a good place to live for Cooks, Restaurants?
The Cost of Living Index in Tuscaloosa, AL is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Tuscaloosa, AL?
Some top paying nearby cities include Birmingham, AL ($32,610) and Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area.
How does Tuscaloosa's cook salary compare to the national average?
The average annual salary for Cooks in Tuscaloosa, AL is $31,690, which is lower than the national average of $37,700.
What is the job concentration for Cooks in Tuscaloosa?
The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 1.01, indicating that the prevalence of Cooks jobs in Tuscaloosa is very close to the national average.
How does the cost of living in Tuscaloosa affect a cook's salary?
With a Cost of Living Index of 100 (matching the national average), a cook's salary in Tuscaloosa has the same purchasing power as the national average, meaning it is neither significantly enhanced nor diminished by local affordability.
What is the total number of Cooks employed in Tuscaloosa?
There are approximately 1,040 Cooks employed in Tuscaloosa, AL, representing a stable segment of the local workforce.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,040 employees in the Tuscaloosa, AL area with a job density of 9.555 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
Explore Cooks, Restaurant Salaries by State
Top Jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
- All Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Production Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Office and Administrative Support Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Transportation and Material Moving Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Sales and Related Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Educational Instruction and Library Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
- Browse All Jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL →
Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL