Cook Salary in Alabama (2026)
$15.47 per hour · take-home ≈ $26,618/year ($2,218/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in Alabama
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $24,170 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $28,930 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $32,180 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $36,220 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $39,220 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 16,260 Cook jobs in Alabama (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in Alabama
A median Cook salary of $32,180 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 $26,618 — an effective tax rate of 17.3%.
| Gross (median) | $32,180 |
| Federal income tax | −$1,682 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$2,462 |
| Alabama state income tax | −$1,419 |
| Take-home (annual) | $26,618 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,218 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Alabama paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cook make in Alabama?
- The median Cook salary in Alabama is $32,180 per year ($15.47 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $28,930 and $36,220.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in Alabama?
- On the median salary of $32,180, a single filer in Alabama takes home about $26,618 per year ($2,218 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.3%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in Alabama?
- BLS counts 16,260 Cook jobs in Alabama in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cooks
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.