SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — Atlanta
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA · 9 metro areas compared
In Atlanta, GA the median wage is $27,280.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Atlanta, GA the median wage is $27,280. That is 23.9% lower than the national median of $35,840. Pay ranges from under $23,040 at the tenth percentile to more than $39,490 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $24,330 to $34,710.
Employment stands at 1,500, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Savannah records the highest median at $27,130. Of the 687 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 678th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,040 | −35.7% |
| 25th | $24,330 | −32.1% |
| Median (50th) | $27,280 | −23.9% |
| 75th | $34,710 | −3.2% |
| 90th | $39,490 | +10.2% |
| Mean | $29,420 | −17.9% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Savannah | $27,130 | 210 | |
| 2 | Valdosta | $26,440 | 70 | |
| 3 | Columbus | $26,370 | 90 | |
| 4 | Augusta | $26,230 | 130 | |
| 5 | Macon | $25,910 | 120 | |
| 6 | Gainesville | $23,160 | 100 | |
| 7 | Warner Robins | $22,100 | 80 | |
| 8 | Rome | $22,050 | 80 | |
| 9 | Athens | $22,020 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Atlanta run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $27,280 goes as far as $28,328 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 21.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,280as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,328US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,280 a year, 23.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $23,040 to $39,490 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,500 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Savannah, at $27,130.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Atlanta, GA?
The median annual wage is $27,280, or $13.12 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,840, so pay in Atlanta, GA is 23.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Atlanta, GA earns more than $39,490 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $23,040 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Savannah, at $27,130 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,500 jobs in this occupation in Atlanta, GA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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