Food Preparation Workers Salary in Southwest Alabama

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Alabama nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $20,900 -38.9% vs national
Median hourly $10.05
10th percentile $18,610
90th percentile $29,410
Employed locally 430
National median $34,220

Compare Food Preparation Workers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Southwest Alabama stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Food Preparation Workers
in
Southwest Alabama
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $18,610
    25th
    $19,370
    50th (median)
    $20,900
    75th
    $26,780
    90th
    $29,410

    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

    Related occupations in Southwest Alabama

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $22,380
    Cooks, Fast Food $22,970
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $29,650
    Waiters and Waitresses $19,950
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $23,100
    Cooks, Restaurant $28,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Southwest Alabama?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southwest Alabama is $10.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.17 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Alabama above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Southwest Alabama is 38.9% 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 Southwest Alabama?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $18,610 per year in Southwest Alabama. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $19,370.