Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn a median of $29,680 a year ($14.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 260 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,010 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 9% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $27,120. There are 3.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $29,530, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,150 | $8.73 |
| 25th percentile | $22,500 | $10.82 |
| Median | $29,680 | $14.27 |
| 75th percentile | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Average (mean) | $29,530 | $14.20 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,473.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,236.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,141.54 |
| Weekly | $570.77 |
| Hourly | $14.27 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,680 salary, see how much house you can afford in Alabama at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbus, GA-AL | $31,940 | 350 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $31,700 | 470 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,580 | 630 |
| Huntsville, AL | $28,110 | 800 |
| Dothan, AL | $27,860 | 180 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $27,270 | 320 |
| Birmingham, AL | $27,220 | 2,460 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,210 | 240 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $23,960 | 210 |
| Decatur, AL | $23,650 | 220 |
| Montgomery, AL | $23,080 | 750 |
| Gadsden, AL | $22,480 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Auburn-Opelika, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,580 | $14.70 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,770 | $13.83 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,860 | $10.51 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,600 | $11.83 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,470 | $12.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,470 | $17.53 |
| Bartender | $26,210 | $12.60 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,520 | $11.31 |
| Dishwasher | $28,160 | $13.54 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $68,830 | $33.09 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Auburn-Opelika, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area is $29,680 a year, or $14.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area earn at least $38,010 a year. The top 25% earn $35,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,150 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $22,500 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Auburn-Opelika, AL?
About 260 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Auburn-Opelika, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.