Food Preparation Worker salary in Macon-Bibb County, GA
Food Preparation Workers in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area earn a median of $31,550 a year ($15.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 510 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,500 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 10% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,250. There are 5.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,440, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Macon-Bibb County, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,720 | $10.92 |
| 25th percentile | $27,620 | $13.28 |
| Median | $31,550 | $15.17 |
| 75th percentile | $35,460 | $17.05 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Average (mean) | $31,440 | $15.12 |
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 | $2,629.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,314.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,213.46 |
| Weekly | $606.73 |
| Hourly | $15.17 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 Macon-Bibb County, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,140 | $11.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,090 | $14.95 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $25,000 | $12.02 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $17,830 | $8.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Bartender | $24,330 | $11.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,120 | $12.56 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,460 | $12.72 |
| Dishwasher | $28,280 | $13.59 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,570 | $14.70 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $25,910 | $12.46 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $50,080 | $24.08 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Macon-Bibb County, 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 Macon-Bibb County, GA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area is $31,550 a year, or $15.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Macon-Bibb County, GA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area earn at least $38,500 a year. The top 25% earn $35,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Macon-Bibb County, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,720 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,620 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Macon-Bibb County, GA?
About 510 food preparation workers are employed in the Macon-Bibb County, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.