Decatur, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Decatur, AL

In the Decatur, AL metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $31,600 ($15.19/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,700/year and the 90th was $38,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,321 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$31,600$15.19 per hour · $2,633 monthly
10th Percentile$23,700$11.39/hr base
25th Percentile$28,400$13.65/hr base
75th Percentile$35,600$17.12/hr base
90th Percentile$38,500$18.51/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$31,600
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$31,600
Net 83%
Fed 5%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,321After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,193Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,012Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,612 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,249 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,417 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Decatur, AL

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Decatur, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$11.39/hr$1,975$23,700$20,245
25th Percentile$13.65/hr$2,367$28,400$23,898
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$15.19/hr$2,633$31,600$26,321
75th Percentile$17.12/hr$2,967$35,600$29,349
90th Percentile$18.51/hr$3,208$38,500$31,552

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Decatur, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$31,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$68,116Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.212.8% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.4%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Alabama:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Decatur, AL

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL is $31,600, which equates to approximately $2,633 per month or $15.19 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL is $15.19 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.39/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.51/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Decatur, AL span from $23,700 at the 10th percentile to $28,400 at the 25th, $35,600 at the 75th, and $38,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Decatur, AL?

On a median gross salary of $31,600, an estimated $26,321 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,012 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,279 (an effective rate of 16.7%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Decatur, AL?

On the median annual salary of $31,600, gross monthly income is $2,633. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,193 per month (or $1,012 every two weeks).

Is $31,600 a good salary in Decatur, AL?

At $31,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 46.4% of the Decatur, AL median household income ($68,116). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.2, making regional consumer goods and services 12.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.