Food Preparation Worker salary in Alabama
Food Preparation Workers in Alabama earn a median of $27,930 a year ($13.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 17,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,580 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,320. Alabama ranks 47th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 8.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,820 | $10.01 |
| 25th percentile | $22,000 | $10.58 |
| Median | $27,930 | $13.43 |
| 75th percentile | $34,490 | $16.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Average (mean) | $28,460 | $13.68 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,327.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,163.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,074.23 |
| Weekly | $537.12 |
| Hourly | $13.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $29,850 | n/a |
| Birmingham, AL | $29,260 | 4,320 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $28,770 | 730 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $28,530 | 870 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $28,490 | 1,190 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,390 | 1,430 |
| Decatur, AL | $28,180 | 430 |
| Montgomery, AL | $27,420 | 1,470 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,410 | 540 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $27,230 | 430 |
| Dothan, AL | $26,580 | 650 |
| Gadsden, AL | $26,050 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 | $15.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 | $13.04 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,330 | $10.74 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 | $11.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,840 | $12.91 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,110 | $17.84 |
| Bartender | $27,980 | $13.45 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,130 | $12.56 |
| Dishwasher | $28,930 | $13.91 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,470 | $10.80 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $22,990 | $11.05 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Alabama?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Alabama is $27,930 a year, or $13.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,580 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Alabama?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Alabama earn at least $37,580 a year. The top 25% earn $34,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,820 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,000 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Alabama?
About 17,680 food preparation workers are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.