Chef Salary in Alabama (2026)
$30.00 per hour · take-home ≈ $49,388/year ($4,116/month) for a single filer
Alabama ranks 23rd of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 1% below the national average. Of the 1,000 Chef jobs BLS counts in Alabama, the typical worker earns $62,400 a year — though pay ranges from $39,940 for newcomers to $85,990 at the top.
Chef pay range in Alabama
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $39,940 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $50,900 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $62,400 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $74,130 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $85,990 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,000 Chef jobs in Alabama (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Alabama
A median Chef salary of $62,400 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Alabama state income tax, a single filer keeps about $49,388 — an effective tax rate of 20.9%.
| Gross (median) | $62,400 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,308 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$4,774 |
| Alabama state income tax | −$2,930 |
| Take-home (annual) | $49,388 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,116 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Alabama paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Alabama?
- The median Chef salary in Alabama is $62,400 per year ($30.00 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $50,900 and $74,130.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Alabama?
- On the median salary of $62,400, a single filer in Alabama takes home about $49,388 per year ($4,116 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 20.9%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Alabama?
- BLS counts 1,000 Chef jobs in Alabama in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Alabama
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Alabama state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Alabama.