Huntsville, AL · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Huntsville, AL

In the Huntsville, AL metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $29,300 ($14.09/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $21,800/year and the 90th was $39,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Alabama tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $24,581 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 93.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$29,300$14.09 per hour · $2,442 monthly
10th Percentile$21,800$10.48/hr base
25th Percentile$23,100$11.11/hr base
75th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
90th Percentile$39,400$18.94/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

$29,300
$15,000$60,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$29,300
Net 84%
Fed 5%
AL 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$24,581After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,048Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$945Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.1%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,336 / yr
Alabama state income tax$1,142 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,241 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Huntsville, 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 Huntsville, AL Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (AL)
10th Percentile$10.48/hr$1,817$21,800$18,766
25th Percentile$11.11/hr$1,925$23,100$19,778
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.09/hr$2,442$29,300$24,581
75th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$29,729
90th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$32,235

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Huntsville, AL

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$29,300 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,989Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index93.16.9% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio34.1%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 Huntsville, AL

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

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Huntsville, AL is $29,300, which equates to approximately $2,442 per month or $14.09 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

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

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Huntsville, AL is $14.09 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $10.48/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.94/hour.

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

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Huntsville, AL span from $21,800 at the 10th percentile to $23,100 at the 25th, $36,100 at the 75th, and $39,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

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

On a median gross salary of $29,300, an estimated $24,581 lands in net take-home pay per year ($945 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Alabama in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $4,719 (an effective rate of 16.1%).

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

On the median annual salary of $29,300, gross monthly income is $2,442. After federal, FICA, and Alabama state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,048 per month (or $945 every two weeks).

Is $29,300 a good salary in Huntsville, AL?

At $29,300, the median salary for food preparation workers is 34.1% of the Huntsville, AL median household income ($85,989). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.1, making regional consumer goods and services 6.9% cheaper than the U.S. average.