Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area earn a median of $27,210 a year ($13.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,200 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is about the same as the Alabama statewide median of $27,120. There are 4.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $26,410, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,160 | $9.21 |
| 25th percentile | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Median | $27,210 | $13.08 |
| 75th percentile | $29,160 | $14.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,200 | $16.92 |
| Average (mean) | $26,410 | $12.70 |
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 | $2,267.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,133.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,046.54 |
| Weekly | $523.27 |
| Hourly | $13.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,210 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 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $29,680 | 260 |
| 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 |
| 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 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,820 | $12.90 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,410 | $13.18 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $21,480 | $10.33 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $22,590 | $10.86 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $25,990 | $12.49 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,390 | $11.24 |
| Bartender | $27,730 | $13.33 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $21,930 | $10.55 |
| Dishwasher | $28,110 | $13.52 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,910 | $13.42 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Florence-Muscle Shoals, 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 Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area is $27,210 a year, or $13.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,160 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area earn at least $35,200 a year. The top 25% earn $29,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,160 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $22,030 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL?
About 240 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.