Food Preparation Worker salary in Gainesville, GA
Food Preparation Workers in the Gainesville, GA metro area earn a median of $34,950 a year ($16.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,780 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,250. There are 5.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,260, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Gainesville, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| 25th percentile | $30,270 | $14.55 |
| Median | $34,950 | $16.81 |
| 75th percentile | $37,170 | $17.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,780 | $19.61 |
| Average (mean) | $34,260 | $16.47 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,912.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,456.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,344.23 |
| Weekly | $672.12 |
| Hourly | $16.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,090 | 17,060 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 | 1,060 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,090 | 1,120 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $31,830 | 420 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,550 | 510 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $31,190 | 510 |
| Albany, GA | $30,740 | 370 |
| Hinesville, GA | $30,690 | 100 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,640 | 380 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Dalton, GA | $30,100 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 | 340 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Gainesville, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,310 | $16.97 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,890 | $13.41 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,220 | $18.37 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,690 | $12.83 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,980 | $8.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Dishwasher | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,340 | $13.62 |
| Bartender | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,180 | $15.95 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,160 | $11.14 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $70,780 | $34.03 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Gainesville, GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Gainesville, GA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Gainesville, GA metro area is $34,950 a year, or $16.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Gainesville, GA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Gainesville, GA metro area earn at least $40,780 a year. The top 25% earn $37,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Gainesville, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,230 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $30,270 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Gainesville, GA?
About 520 food preparation workers are employed in the Gainesville, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.