Food Preparation Workers Salary in Tuscaloosa, AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Tuscaloosa, AL

Median annual salary $28,800 -15.8% vs national
Median hourly $13.85
10th percentile $20,680
90th percentile $36,660
Employed locally 680
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Tuscaloosa, AL
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,680
    25th
    $21,690
    50th (median)
    $28,800
    75th
    $33,280
    90th
    $36,660

    Tuscaloosa economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $59,975 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 48% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 52% 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 Tuscaloosa, AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,850
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,740
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,600
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,340
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,940

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Tuscaloosa, AL is $13.85, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.89 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Tuscaloosa, AL is 15.8% 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 Tuscaloosa?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,680 per year in Tuscaloosa, AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $21,690.