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Columbus, GA-AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

In the Columbus, GA-AL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $28,100 ($13.51/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $20,900/year and the 90th was $37,800/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $23,664 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$28,100$13.51 per hour · $2,342 monthly
10th Percentile$20,900$10.05/hr base
25th Percentile$22,100$10.63/hr base
75th Percentile$34,700$16.68/hr base
90th Percentile$37,800$18.17/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 payWhat $28,000 a year leaves after tax in AlabamaFederal tax, FICA and Alabama withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $28,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $28,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Alabama publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Alabama.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$28,100
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$28,100
Net 84%
Fed 4%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$23,664After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,972Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$910Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,200 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,086 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,150 / yr
Customize deductions in full Alabama calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Columbus, GA-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 Columbus, GA-AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$10.05/hr$1,742$20,900$18,065
25th Percentile$10.63/hr$1,842$22,100$18,999
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$23,664
75th Percentile$16.68/hr$2,892$34,700$28,668
90th Percentile$18.17/hr$3,150$37,800$31,020

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Columbus, GA-AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$28,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$59,336Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index89.310.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio47.4%of area median income

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

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Alabama metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Columbus, GA-AL. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Columbus, GA-AL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL is $28,100, which equates to approximately $2,342 per month or $13.51 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL is $13.51 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.05/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.17/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL span from $20,900 at the 10th percentile to $22,100 at the 25th, $34,700 at the 75th, and $37,800 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Columbus, GA-AL?

On a median gross salary of $28,100, an estimated $23,664 lands in net take-home pay per year ($910 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,436 (an effective rate of 15.8%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Columbus, GA-AL?

On the median annual salary of $28,100, gross monthly income is $2,342. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,972 per month (or $910 every two weeks).

Is $28,100 a good salary in Columbus, GA-AL?

At $28,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 47.4% of the Columbus, GA-AL median household income ($59,336). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.3, making regional consumer goods and services 10.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.