Dothan, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Dothan, AL

In the Dothan, AL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $26,400 ($12.69/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $19,700/year and the 90th was $35,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $22,346 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 83.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$26,400$12.69 per hour · $2,200 monthly
10th Percentile$19,700$9.47/hr base
25th Percentile$20,800$10.00/hr base
75th Percentile$32,600$15.67/hr base
90th Percentile$35,500$17.07/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

$26,400
$15,000$55,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$26,400
Net 85%
Fed 4%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$22,346After all taxes
Monthly deposit$1,862Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$859Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,030 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,005 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,020 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Dothan, 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 Dothan, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$9.47/hr$1,642$19,700$17,131
25th Percentile$10.00/hr$1,733$20,800$17,987
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$12.69/hr$2,200$26,400$22,346
75th Percentile$15.67/hr$2,717$32,600$27,078
90th Percentile$17.07/hr$2,958$35,500$29,273

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Dothan, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$26,400 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$57,791Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index83.816.2% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio45.7%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 Dothan, AL

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL is $26,400, which equates to approximately $2,200 per month or $12.69 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL is $12.69 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $9.47/hour and one in ten earned more than $17.07/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Dothan, AL span from $19,700 at the 10th percentile to $20,800 at the 25th, $32,600 at the 75th, and $35,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Dothan, AL?

On a median gross salary of $26,400, an estimated $22,346 lands in net take-home pay per year ($859 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,054 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Dothan, AL?

On the median annual salary of $26,400, gross monthly income is $2,200. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $1,862 per month (or $859 every two weeks).

Is $26,400 a good salary in Dothan, AL?

At $26,400, the median salary for food preparation workers is 45.7% of the Dothan, AL median household income ($57,791). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 83.8, making regional consumer goods and services 16.2% cheaper than the U.S. average.