How much does a food preparation worker make in Tuscaloosa?
$28,530a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area. That is $13.72 an hour or $2,378 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.72
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among cities
- 322 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 870
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,840Median: $28,530Highest 10%: $37,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,840 | $10.02 | |
| 25th | $21,840 | $10.50 | |
| Median | $28,530 | $13.72 | |
| 75th | $34,690 | $16.68 | |
| 90th | $37,200 | $17.88 |
Other cities in Alabama
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Huntsville, AL | $29,850 |
| Birmingham, AL | $29,260 |
| Columbus, GA | $29,030 |
| Auburn, AL | $28,770 |
| Daphne, AL | $28,490 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,390 |
| Decatur, AL | $28,180 |
| Montgomery, AL | $27,420 |
| Florence, AL | $27,410 |
| Anniston, AL | $27,230 |
| Dothan, AL | $26,580 |
| Gadsden, AL | $26,050 |
Related jobs in Tuscaloosa
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $65,900 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,140 |
| Cook | $31,700 |
| Cook | $30,690 |
| Food Server | $29,640 |
| Cook | $28,030 |
| Dishwasher | $27,900 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $26,930 |
| Bartender | $26,830 |
| Host and Hostess | $24,640 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Tuscaloosa?
The median hourly pay in the Tuscaloosa, AL metro area is $13.72 ($28,530 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Tuscaloosa than the national average?
No: $28,530 against $35,320 nationally, 19% less.
How does Tuscaloosa compare with the rest of Alabama?
The median in Alabama is $27,930, so Tuscaloosa pays 2% more.
Where does Tuscaloosa rank for food preparation worker pay?
322 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Tuscaloosa?
The lowest-paid 10% make $20,840 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.