Auburn-Opelika, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL

In the Auburn-Opelika, AL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $27,700 ($13.32/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $20,600/year and the 90th was $37,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,354 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 87.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$27,700$13.32 per hour · $2,308 monthly
10th Percentile$20,600$9.90/hr base
25th Percentile$21,800$10.48/hr base
75th Percentile$34,100$16.39/hr base
90th Percentile$37,200$17.88/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$27,700
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$27,700
Net 84%
Fed 4%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,354After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,946Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$898Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.7%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,160 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,067 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,119 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Auburn-Opelika, AL

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Auburn-Opelika, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$9.90/hr$1,717$20,600$17,832
25th Percentile$10.48/hr$1,817$21,800$18,766
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.32/hr$2,308$27,700$23,354
75th Percentile$16.39/hr$2,842$34,100$28,214
90th Percentile$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$30,564

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Auburn-Opelika, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$27,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$63,649Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index87.912.1% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio43.5%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Alabama:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Auburn-Opelika, AL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $27,700, which equates to approximately $2,308 per month or $13.32 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL is $13.32 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.90/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.88/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Auburn-Opelika, AL span from $20,600 at the 10th percentile to $21,800 at the 25th, $34,100 at the 75th, and $37,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On a median gross salary of $27,700, an estimated $23,354 lands in net take-home pay per year ($898 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,346 (an effective rate of 15.7%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

On the median annual salary of $27,700, gross monthly income is $2,308. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,946 per month (or $898 every two weeks).

Is $27,700 a good salary in Auburn-Opelika, AL?

At $27,700, the median salary for food preparation workers is 43.5% of the Auburn-Opelika, AL median household income ($63,649). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 87.9, making regional consumer goods and services 12.1% cheaper than the U.S. average.