Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders Salary in Alabama (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Alabama, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Alabama Median
$27,080
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.02
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-35% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#41 of 41
250 employed here

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Alabama?

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Alabama take home a median of $27,080 annually — roughly $13.02 an hour — which runs 35% below the national median of $41,590.

Within Alabama, entry-level pay starts around $23,000 while the top 10% make $45,200 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,080 and $36,190 a year.

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Alabama

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$23,000$11.06
25th percentile (early career)$27,080$13.02
50th percentile (median)$27,080$13.02
75th percentile (experienced)$36,190$17.40
90th percentile (top earners)$45,200$21.73

How Alabama compares

Alabama ranks 41st out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$51,100
2Utah$48,620
3Massachusetts$47,960
4Iowa$47,900
5Michigan$47,260

Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Alabama

Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Alabama pay ($27,080) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Alabama?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Alabama is $27,080 per year, or about $13.02 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $23,000 at the entry level to $45,200 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Alabama pay compare to the national average?
Alabama pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 35% less than the national median of $41,590. Alabama ranks 41st out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Alabama a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,080 a year. About 250 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Alabama. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Alabama?
The highest-paying occupations in Alabama include Cardiologist ($519,480), Dermatologist ($394,550), Anesthesiologist ($392,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.