Food Preparation Workers Salary in Auburn, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Auburn-Opelika, AL

Median annual salary $27,340 -20.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.14
10th percentile $19,940
90th percentile $35,250
Employed locally 590
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Auburn, AL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $19,940
    25th
    $20,920
    50th (median)
    $27,340
    75th
    $31,950
    90th
    $35,250

    Auburn economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $58,991 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $40,810
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $39,300
    Salinas, CA $38,670
    California $38,150
    Vallejo, CA $37,790

    Related occupations in Auburn, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,820
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,090
    Cooks, Fast Food $23,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $34,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,320
    Bartenders $21,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Auburn?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Auburn, AL is $13.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.45 or more per hour.

    Is Auburn above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Auburn, AL is 20.1% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Auburn?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $19,940 per year in Auburn, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,920.