Food Preparation Worker salary in Georgia
Food Preparation Workers in Georgia earn a median of $35,250 a year ($16.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,450 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,390 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $35,320. Georgia ranks 22nd of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 5.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $33,970, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Georgia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,840 | $11.94 |
| 25th percentile | $29,610 | $14.24 |
| Median | $35,250 | $16.95 |
| 75th percentile | $37,700 | $18.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,390 | $19.42 |
| Average (mean) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
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 | $2,937.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,468.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,355.77 |
| Weekly | $677.88 |
| Hourly | $16.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Georgia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,090 | 17,060 |
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 | 520 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Georgia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,940 | $17.28 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,940 | $12.95 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,090 | $16.87 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $26,870 | $12.92 |
| Cooks, All Other | $42,960 | $20.65 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,920 | $12.94 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,700 | $8.99 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $38,600 | $18.56 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,850 | $13.39 |
| Bartender | $22,830 | $10.98 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,920 | $13.91 |
| Dishwasher | $29,730 | $14.29 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,530 | $15.16 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Georgia
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 Georgia?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Georgia is $35,250 a year, or $16.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $40,390 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Georgia?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Georgia earn at least $40,390 a year. The top 25% earn $37,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Georgia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,840 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $29,610 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Georgia?
About 26,450 food preparation workers are employed in Georgia, not counting the self-employed.