Food Preparation Worker salary in Tuscaloosa, AL
Food Preparation Workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn a median of $28,530 a year ($13.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 870 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,200 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Alabama statewide median of $27,930. There are 8.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,600, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tuscaloosa, AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,840 | $10.02 |
| 25th percentile | $21,840 | $10.50 |
| Median | $28,530 | $13.72 |
| 75th percentile | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,200 | $17.89 |
| Average (mean) | $28,600 | $13.75 |
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 | $2,377.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,188.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,097.31 |
| Weekly | $548.65 |
| Hourly | $13.72 |
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 |
| Birmingham, AL | $29,260 | 4,320 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $28,770 | 730 |
| 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 Tuscaloosa, AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,030 | $13.48 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,690 | $14.76 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,700 | $15.24 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $22,110 | $10.63 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $24,630 | $11.84 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,140 | $17.86 |
| Bartender | $26,830 | $12.90 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,640 | $11.85 |
| Dishwasher | $27,900 | $13.41 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,640 | $14.25 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,900 | $31.68 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tuscaloosa, 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 Tuscaloosa, AL?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $28,530 a year, or $13.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Tuscaloosa, AL?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area earn at least $37,200 a year. The top 25% earn $34,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Tuscaloosa, AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $21,840 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Tuscaloosa, AL?
About 870 food preparation workers are employed in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.