Food Preparation Workers pay in Alabama
In Alabama, the median pay for food preparation workers is $13.43 an hour ($27,930 a year). About 17,680 people work in this job there.
That is 21% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Alabama ranks 47th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Alabama
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.01 | $20,820 |
| 25% of workers | $10.58 | $22,000 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.43 | $27,930 |
| 75% of workers | $16.58 | $34,490 |
| 90% of workers | $18.07 | $37,580 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Alabama metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Huntsville | $29,850 | 0 |
| Birmingham | $29,260 | 4,320 |
| Auburn-Opelika | $28,770 | 730 |
| Tuscaloosa | $28,530 | 870 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley | $28,490 | 1,190 |
| Mobile | $28,390 | 1,430 |
| Decatur | $28,180 | 430 |
| Montgomery | $27,420 | 1,470 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals | $27,410 | 540 |
| Anniston-Oxford | $27,230 | 430 |
| Dothan | $26,580 | 650 |
| Gadsden | $26,050 | 310 |
Alabama unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,700 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,870 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $32,180 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $27,120 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,470 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,000 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,500 |
| Bakers | $34,030 |
Other job titles for this job
Open food preparation workers jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring food preparation workers? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.