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Food Preparation Workers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Alabama (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How does Food Preparation Workers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Alabama? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.

80% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Alabama salary data • Updated 2026-05-19

Entry-Level (P10)
$20,820
$1,735/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$27,930
$2,328/mo
Senior (P90)
$37,580
$3,132/mo

Alabama vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$20,820
National: $27,262
-23.6%
Mid-Career (Median)
$27,930
National: $33,596
-16.9%
Senior (P90)
$37,580
National: $43,293
-13.2%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Food Preparation Workers in Alabama spans from $20,820 at entry-level to $37,580 at senior level — a difference of $16,760 per year.

P10
$20K
P25
$22K
Median
$27K
P75
$34K
P90
$37K

Career Growth Premium: +80%

Senior Food Preparation Workerss in Alabama earn $16,760 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$16,760
Monthly Difference
+$1,397
Hourly Difference
+$8.06
Growth Multiple
1.8x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Preparation Workers salary increases with experience in Alabama, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $20,820 $1,735 $10.01
Early Career P25 $22,000 $1,833 $10.58
Mid-Career Median $27,930 $2,328 $13.43
Experienced P75 $34,490 $2,874 $16.58
Senior / Expert P90 $37,580 $3,132 $18.07
Key Insight

Food Preparation Workers in Alabama has a moderate salary progression with a 80% growth from entry-level ($20,820) to senior ($37,580). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($27,930) and P90 ($37,580) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Alabama Compares to Other States

Where does Alabama rank for Food Preparation Workers senior-level salaries? Compare Alabama's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$57,720
Entry: $29K
+93%
2
$51,730
Entry: $34K
+48%
3
$50,600
Entry: $26K
+94%
4
$49,020
Entry: $31K
+54%
5
$49,000
Entry: $30K
+59%
6
$48,580
Entry: $31K
+54%
7
$48,470
Entry: $35K
+38%
8
$48,420
Entry: $34K
+41%
9
$47,790
Entry: $34K
+41%
10
$46,800
Entry: $33K
+41%

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Food Preparation Workers?

Entry-level Food Preparation Workerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $20,820 per year, or $1,735 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $22,000. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Food Preparation Workers make?

Senior Food Preparation Workerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $37,580 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $34,490. This represents a career premium of 80% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Food Preparation Workers?

The career salary growth potential for Food Preparation Workerss is 80%. Entry-level professionals start at $20,820, while senior-level can earn up to $37,580 — a difference of $16,760 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Food Preparation Workerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Food Preparation Workerss is Alabama, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $37,580 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Food Preparation Workers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

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About This Data

Salary percentile data for Alabama from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Alabama.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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