Food Preparation Worker salary in Birmingham, AL
Food Preparation Workers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn a median of $29,260 a year ($14.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $27,930. There are 8.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $30,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Birmingham, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,830 | $10.50 |
| 25th percentile | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| Median | $29,260 | $14.07 |
| 75th percentile | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,960 | $18.25 |
| Average (mean) | $30,230 | $14.54 |
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 | $2,438.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,219.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,125.38 |
| Weekly | $562.69 |
| Hourly | $14.07 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $29,850 | n/a |
| 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 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Alabama statewide figures.
Related jobs in Birmingham, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,320 | $13.62 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,340 | $16.51 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,220 | $13.09 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $23,160 | $11.14 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,020 | $12.99 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,670 | $13.31 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,570 | $18.54 |
| Bartender | $30,010 | $14.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,440 | $12.71 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $23,320 | $11.21 |
| Dishwasher | $29,790 | $14.32 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,370 | $14.60 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,760 | $30.17 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $30,840 | $14.83 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Birmingham, AL
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 Birmingham, AL?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Birmingham, AL metro area is $29,260 a year, or $14.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Birmingham, AL?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Birmingham, AL metro area earn at least $37,960 a year. The top 25% earn $36,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Birmingham, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,830 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,830 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Birmingham, AL?
About 4,320 food preparation workers are employed in the Birmingham, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.