Food Preparation Workers Salary in Birmingham, AL

In Birmingham, AL, food preparation workers earn a median annual salary of $27,850, or $13.39 per hour, which is below the national median for this occupation at $34,220. When compared to the local area's median household income of $69,627, the earnings of typical food preparation workers represent approximately 40% of that figure. This suggests a significant gap between individual worker earnings and the broader economic landscape within the community, highlighting potential challenges faced by those in this occupation when considering cost-of-living expenses and financial stability.

Entry-level food preparation workers in Birmingham earn around $21,220 annually, placing them at the 10th percentile of income distribution for this role. In contrast, more experienced workers can expect to earn closer to $35,260, which is at the 75th percentile. This disparity in earnings is primarily driven by factors such as experience level, skill proficiency, and specific job responsibilities within the food service industry. As workers gain expertise and take on greater responsibilities or shift to higher-paying establishments, their earning potential increases significantly, reflecting both market demand for skilled labor and opportunities for career advancement within the field.