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Hospitality · Birmingham, AL

Chef Salary in Birmingham, AL (2026)

Median Chef salary in Birmingham is approximately $47,500/year — 12.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Birmingham

$47,500
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$23
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$1,827
Monthly
$3,958
Annual (gross)
$47,500
vs Alabama state average
State avg: $47,500
+$0
vs US national
National median: $54,000
-$6,500

After-tax estimate

$34,366
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$47,500
Federal tax (~14%)
−$6,650
FICA (7.65%)
−$3,634
Alabama state tax
~5% effective
−$2,375
Birmingham local tax (1.00%)
−$475
Estimated take-home
$34,366
Monthly take-home
$2,864
For exact take-home, use our Birmingham Paycheck Calculator.
Chef salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Birmingham
Toledo, OH0.88×$47,500+$0
Lubbock, TX0.88×$47,500+$0
Memphis, TN0.89×$48,100+$600
Oklahoma City, OK0.89×$48,100+$600
Lincoln, NE0.89×$48,100+$600
Other Hospitality jobs in Birmingham
Restaurant Manager
$51,000/yr
Bartender
$28,200/yr
Server (Waiter/Waitress)
$26,400/yr

Chef salaries in Birmingham, AL

The estimated median Chef salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $47,500/year, working out to approximately $23/hour at full-time, $1,827 per biweekly paycheck, or $3,958/month before taxes. Birmingham's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Take-home pay in Birmingham

Of the gross $47,500, you take home roughly $34,366 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Alabama state income tax (~5% effective)
  • Birmingham local tax: 1.00% — significant for Birmingham workers

That works out to about $2,864/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Birmingham Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Birmingham pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Birmingham typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Birmingham employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Chef Salary in Alabama — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Birmingham Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Chef salary in Birmingham?▾
The estimated median Chef salary in Birmingham, Alabama is $47,500 per year, or approximately $23/hour at standard full-time. Birmingham sits 12.0% below the US national average for this role.
Birmingham vs Alabama state — what's the salary difference?▾
Birmingham: $47,500. Alabama state average for Chef: $47,500. Difference: +$0 (0.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Birmingham have a city income tax?▾
Yes — Birmingham levies a local income tax of approximately 1.00% on top of federal and Alabama state taxes. This affects take-home pay calculations significantly.
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?▾
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Birmingham's cost of living relative to the US average. Birmingham's multiplier is 0.88× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Chef in Birmingham?▾
Estimate: $34,366/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Alabama state tax (~5.0% effective), and Birmingham local tax (1.00%). For exact numbers, use the Birmingham Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.