Food Preparation Workers Salary in Alabama
In Alabama, food preparation workers earn a median $27,930 a year, well below the national median of $35,320 (−21%); the state ranks 47th of 51 states by median. That is 39% less than the median across all occupations in Alabama ($45,670). Among neighbouring states, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee pay more (up to $35,920 in Florida) and Mississippi pays less (down to $26,240 in Mississippi). Alabama employs 17,680 food preparation workers, 8.37 per 1,000 jobs, the 16th largest count of any state. A location quotient of 1.46 means the occupation is more concentrated in Alabama than nationally.
Alabama vs the United States, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Alabama | Hourly | $10.01 | $10.58 | $13.43 | $16.58 | $18.07 | $13.68 | 17,680 | 8.37 | 1.46 |
| Annual | $20,820 | $22,000 | $27,930 | $34,490 | $37,580 | $28,460 | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $12.41 | $14.40 | $16.98 | $18.53 | $21.80 | $16.96 | 893,600 | – | – |
| Annual | $25,810 | $29,950 | $35,320 | $38,550 | $45,340 | $35,290 | ||||
- Rank by median
- 47th of 51 states
- Rank by employment
- 16th of 51 states
- Location quotient
- 1.46
- Jobs per 1,000
- 8.37
Ranks count the 50 states and DC with a published value. The location quotient is the occupation's share of Alabama's employment divided by its national share; 1.00 means the same share as the nation. Take-home pay at these wages: FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Metropolitan areas in Alabama
13 metropolitan areas and 4 nonmetropolitan areas touching Alabama publish a row for food preparation workers, sorted by median. Areas crossing a state line are listed under every state they touch; a linked metro has its own profile.
| Area | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntsville, AL | $14.35 | $29,850 | $22,220 | $38,370 | ** | ** | ** |
| Birmingham, AL | $14.07 | $29,260 | $21,830 | $37,960 | 4,320 | 8.30 | 1.44 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $13.96 | $29,030 | $20,740 | $35,910 | 830 | 7.11 | 1.24 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $13.83 | $28,770 | $20,710 | $36,290 | 730 | 10.08 | 1.75 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $13.72 | $28,530 | $20,840 | $37,200 | 870 | 8.03 | 1.40 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $13.70 | $28,490 | $21,050 | $37,220 | 1,190 | 13.63 | 2.37 |
| Mobile, AL | $13.65 | $28,390 | $21,040 | $36,390 | 1,430 | 8.28 | 1.44 |
| Decatur, AL | $13.55 | $28,180 | $21,500 | $37,320 | 430 | 7.07 | 1.23 |
| Montgomery, AL | $13.18 | $27,420 | $20,820 | $35,990 | 1,470 | 8.87 | 1.54 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $13.18 | $27,410 | $20,250 | $35,660 | 540 | 9.59 | 1.67 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $13.09 | $27,230 | $20,120 | $34,720 | 430 | 9.96 | 1.73 |
| Dothan, AL | $12.78 | $26,580 | $20,030 | $35,250 | 650 | 10.75 | 1.87 |
| Gadsden, AL | $12.52 | $26,050 | $18,800 | $37,470 | 310 | 9.40 | 1.64 |
| Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $12.36 | $25,710 | $19,880 | $33,630 | 460 | 7.19 | 1.25 |
| Northwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $12.25 | $25,470 | $20,040 | $34,620 | 510 | 7.53 | 1.31 |
| Northeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $11.27 | $23,450 | $20,550 | $34,060 | 1,110 | 7.28 | 1.27 |
| Southeast Alabama nonmetropolitan area | $10.98 | $22,840 | $20,240 | $34,620 | 680 | 8.11 | 1.41 |
Neighbouring states
| State | Median hourly | Median annual | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $13.43 | $27,930 | 17,680 | 1.46 |
| Florida | $17.27 | $35,920 | 73,100 | 1.28 |
| Georgia | $16.95 | $35,250 | 26,450 | 0.94 |
| Mississippi | $12.61 | $26,240 | 7,870 | 1.18 |
| Tennessee | $13.80 | $28,700 | 19,780 | 1.05 |
See the national page for Food Preparation Workers (every state ranked) and the Alabama wage profile (every occupation in the state).
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS Alabama estimates.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.