Cooking Light Salary

How much does the Cooking Light Pay for employees?

As of August 2026, the average hourly salary for employees at Cooking Light in the United States is $45. This translates to an approximate annual wage of $94,310. Salaries at Cooking Light typically range from $40 to $51 hourly, reflecting the diverse roles and experience levels within the company. Cooking Light’s salaries are influenced by a wide range of factors including job role, department, years of experience, and location.
DISCLAIMER: The salary range presented here is an estimation that has been derived from our proprietary algorithm. It should be noted that this range does not originate from the company's factual payroll records or survey data.
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Current Job Openings at Cooking Light

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Is Cooking Light’s Pay Competitive? Salary Benchmarking Analysis

How does Cooking Light’s compensation stack up against the market? This analysis visualizes their hourly average salary compared to its industry benchmark and key peer companies.
Peer Company & Industry Benchmarking
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Average Salary ($/year)
Cooking Light
Media
The Daily Texan Inc
Best Pick Reports LLC
Industry Comparison
Our data shows that, on average, compensation at Cooking Light is below the average for the U.S. Media industry by approximately 25%. This positioning suggests their pay is below the market average within their sector.
Peer Company Comparison
To provide a broader market perspective, we compared Cooking Light average annual salary with several similar companies. Cooking Light average salary of $94,310 is lower than The Daily Texan Inc, which has an average salary of $95,575. It is lower than Best Pick Reports LLC, with their average salary at $96,609. This places Cooking Light in a developing position among its peers.
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Employee Reviews: Working at Cooking Light

Considering a career at Cooking Light? Explore authentic employee reviews to learn about the work environment, career growth opportunities, pay transparency and benefits. These first-hand insights can help you set realistic compensation expectations and make informed career decisions.
Working on content that informs, inspires, and has a real impact on our audience is incredibly fulfilling. Culture is professional but somewhat low-energy. Whether it's breaking news, captivating entertainment, or insightful documentaries, our work shapes public discourse and cultural understanding. Encouragement to push creative boundaries. It's rewarding to see our work resonate and perform acro...
We’re always experimenting with new formats while maintaining journalistic integrity. From brainstorming to final execution, everyone plays a role in making content meaningful. You’ll get good experience, and it is a lot of excitement. Communication tools are adequate, though not always used. The work we do is just plain fun. Flexible work arrangements help maintain a healthy work-life balance. It...
Innovative teams and flexible working arrangements. Communication and collaboration can be inconsistent, sometimes causing delays. Leadership supports structure, but innovation feels limited to higher-level roles or special projects. The onboarding process was fantastic. The tasks rarely change, and creative projects are often handled by more senior staff.

Cooking Light Overview

Website
www.cookinglight.com
Founded In
1987
Employees
50 - 100 employees
Industry
Media
Headquarter Address
PO Box 2581 Birmingham Alabama AL 35202
Revenue
$10 Million - $50 Million
Phone Number
+1 2054456000
Social Media
About Cooking Light
Cooking Light is the nation's largest food and fitness magazine known for making healthy food taste great. Each month, 12.1 million readers turn to Cooking Light and CookingLight.com for innovative recipes, nutrition advice, and food and fitness tips. Cooking Light is published by a subsidiary of Birmingham, Alabama-based Southern Progress Corporation.

What Benefits Does Cooking Light Offer Beyond Salary?

A competitive compensation package is more than just a salary. Cooking Light offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial future, and overall well-being. Below are the most common key benefits:
Social Security
401(K)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
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What Is the Cost of Living Near Birmingham?

Understanding the cost of living near Birmingham is key to truly evaluating a salary offer or your current compensation at Cooking Light.
Birmingham's Cost of Living Index is approximately 79.5 (20.5% less expensive than US average; 3.4% less than AL average). Primary driver is significantly lower housing costs. When planning your budget based on a salary from Cooking Light, consider these typical monthly expenses:
Expense Category Estimated Monthly Cost Key Considerations / Notes
Housing (1-BR Apt Rent) $900 - $1,400+ A significant portion of Cooking Light salary. Location choices impact this heavily.
Utilities (Basic) $150 - $250 Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water etc.
Public Transportation $40 - $60 (MAX Transit Monthly Pass) Essential for most commuters; car ownership is costly.
Groceries (Single Person) $350 - $550 Can be higher with more dining out or specialty stores.
Personal & Leisure $300 - $600+ Dining out, entertainment, shopping. Highly variable.
Healthcare (Individual) $300 - $600+ Varies significantly by plan & employer contribution.
Subtotal (Excluding Taxes) $2,040 - $3,460+ This subtotal does not include income taxes (federal, state, local), which can significantly impact your take-home pay.

FAQs of Cooking Light

1. What is the typical salary range (low to high) for most roles at Cooking Light?

The typical salary range for most roles at Cooking Light is approximately from $40 to $51 per hour. It's important to remember that these are overall averages, actual salaries vary significantly based on specific job titles, years of experience, skills, and location.

2. How much does Cooking Light pay compared to The Daily Texan Inc?

The average annual salary at Cooking Light is $94,310, or an hourly wage of $45, in comparison to The Daily Texan Inc which pays $95,575 per year or $46 per hour.

3. How does experience level affect salary at Cooking Light?

Experience level is a significant factor in determining salary at Cooking Light, as it is with most employers. Generally, employees with more years of relevant experience and a proven track record can command higher salaries. For example, a senior-level role will typically have a higher pay band than an entry-level or mid-career position within the same job family.

4. How can I determine if a salary offer from Cooking Light in Birmingham is fair given the local cost of living?

To determine if a salary offer from Cooking Light in Birmingham is fair, first compare the gross salary to our data for similar roles at Cooking Light and its competitors (see our similar company salaries section) . Then, critically, use our "Cost of Living Insights for Birmingham" to understand its purchasing power.

5. What factors influence salary increases at Cooking Light?

Salary increases at Cooking Light are likely influenced by a combination of factors, including: individual employee performance against set goals, overall company performance and profitability, budget availability, changes in the market rate for similar roles (market adjustments), and sometimes cost-of-living increases.