Cooks, Short Order salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Cooks, Short Order in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $22,110 a year ($10.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,370 for the top 10%. That is 38% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay here is 1% lower than the Alabama statewide median of $22,330. There are 1.3 cooks, short order per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $24,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, short order in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,530 | $9.87 |
| 25th percentile | $21,180 | $10.18 |
| Median | $22,110 | $10.63 |
| 75th percentile | $29,440 | $14.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Average (mean) | $24,460 | $11.76 |
Half of cooks, short order 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 | $1,842.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $921.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $850.38 |
| Weekly | $425.19 |
| Hourly | $10.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Short Order salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Birmingham, AL | $23,160 | n/a |
| Huntsville, AL | $22,510 | 320 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $22,330 | 190 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $21,860 | 120 |
| Montgomery, AL | $21,840 | n/a |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $21,480 | 90 |
| Dothan, AL | $21,250 | n/a |
Highest-paying states for cooks, short order
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $46,630 |
| Rhode Island | $46,250 |
| Massachusetts | $44,290 |
| Hawaii | $43,110 |
| California | $42,930 |
| Washington | $42,760 |
| Colorado | $42,450 |
| Connecticut | $42,450 |
| District of Columbia | $42,450 |
| New Jersey | $40,720 |
See Cooks, Short Order pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,690 | $14.76 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,530 | $13.72 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,700 | $15.24 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,630 | $11.84 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Bartender | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,640 | $11.85 |
| Dishwasher | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,900 | $31.68 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, AL
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2015. 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, short order make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for cooks, short order in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $22,110 a year, or $10.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $30,370 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, short order make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of cooks, short order in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $30,370 a year. The top 25% earn $29,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, short order in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,530 a year, and a quarter of cooks, short order earn $21,180 or less.
How many cooks, short order work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 150 cooks, short order are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.