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Average Cooks, Short Order Salary in Alabama

In Alabama, Short Order Cooks earn an average annual salary of $28,600, which is notably below the national average of $35,650. This disparity is largely influenced by Alabama's lower cost of living and the specific economic landscape of the state, which affects overall wage levels across various industries.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $28,600 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 19.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $40,840.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,280 Short Order Cooks and a Location Quotient of 0.63, the job market in Alabama indicates a concentration below the national average. This suggests that while the profession is present, it is not as densely populated relative to other occupations compared to the national scale, implying a stable but not rapidly expanding demand.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$28,600

The average Cooks, Short Order in Alabama earns-19.8%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13.8

Weekly

$550

Monthly

$2,383

Cooks, Short Order Salary Distribution in Alabama

Salary progression for Short Order Cooks in Alabama typically scales with experience. Entry-level positions may start closer to the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive culinary skills and supervisory experience can command higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings signify clear career progression pathways, rewarding dedication and skill development.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$22,250$10.7
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$21,450$10.3
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$25,340$12.2
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$35,750$17.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$40,840$19.6

Detailed Cooks, Short Order Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$28,600

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$32,463

Adjusted for COL (88.1)

The nominal average salary of $28,600 in Alabama for Short Order Cooks should be viewed in the context of its Cost of Living Index of 88.1. This index, being below the national average of 100, suggests that the purchasing power of $28,600 in Alabama is relatively stronger than the same amount in a higher cost-of-living area, potentially offsetting some of the lower nominal wage.

Job Market Context

1,280

Total Jobs

0.613

Per 1K Jobs

0.63

Location Quotient

Below Average

Alabama has 0.63x the national average concentration of Cooks, Short Order jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

Alabama's Location Quotient of 0.63 for Short Order Cooks indicates that this profession is less concentrated in the state compared to the national average. This suggests a job market that is not oversaturated, potentially offering stable employment opportunities, but also implying that the demand might be more localized and less robust than in areas with a higher concentration of these roles.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Short Order

CitySalaryDist.
Montgomery, AL Cooks, Short Order Salary$31,020↑ 8%44 mi
Birmingham, AL Cooks, Short Order Salary$29,010↑ 1%50 mi
Auburn-Opelika, AL Cooks, Short Order Salary$26,910↓ 6%77 mi

Comparing salaries near Alabama

Hiring Cooks, Short Orders?

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Alabama is $28,600. This typically ranges from $22,250 for entry-level positions to $40,840 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Alabama is 19.8% lower than the national median of $35,650.

Is Alabama a lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders?

No, Alabama is not a particularly lucrative place for Short Order Cooks.The average salary of $28,600 is significantly lower than the national average, and while the cost of living is lower, it doesn't fully compensate for the reduced earning potential.

Is Alabama a good place to live for Cooks, Short Orders?

With a Cost of Living Index of 88.1 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

Where are the highest paying cities near Alabama?

Some top paying nearby cities include Montgomery, AL ($31,020) and Birmingham, AL.

How does Alabama's cost of living affect cook salaries?

Alabama's cost of living index of 88.1 means that $28,600 can potentially stretch further than in higher-cost states, making the lower nominal salary more palatable for residents.

What is the concentration of Short Order Cooks in Alabama?

The Location Quotient of 0.63 indicates that Short Order Cooks are less concentrated in Alabama's workforce compared to the national average, suggesting a moderate level of job availability relative to other professions.

How many Short Order Cooks are there in Alabama?

Alabama employs approximately 1,280 Short Order Cooks, representing a specific segment of the state's food service industry workforce.

What factors influence a Short Order Cook's salary in Alabama?

Factors such as years of experience, specific employer, location within Alabama, and the complexity of the culinary tasks performed will influence an individual cook's salary beyond the state average.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,280 employees in the Alabama area with a job density of 0.613 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Short Order • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Alabama