SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Atlanta
Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $36,090 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $36,090 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,320. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $30,940 and $38,010. The lowest tenth earn under $27,910, while the highest tenth earn more than $42,010.
The area has 17,060 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.03 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Gainesville records the highest median at $34,950. Of the 687 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 629th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,910 | −21.0% |
| 25th | $30,940 | −12.4% |
| Median (50th) | $36,090 | +2.2% |
| 75th | $38,010 | +7.6% |
| 90th | $42,010 | +18.9% |
| Mean | $35,390 | +0.2% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gainesville | $34,950 | 520 | |
| 2 | Savannah | $34,130 | 1,060 | |
| 3 | Augusta | $32,090 | 1,120 | |
| 4 | Warner Robins | $31,830 | 420 | |
| 5 | Macon | $31,550 | 510 | |
| 6 | Athens | $31,190 | 510 | |
| 7 | Albany | $30,740 | 370 | |
| 8 | Hinesville | $30,690 | 100 | |
| 9 | Brunswick | $30,640 | 380 | |
| 10 | Dalton | $30,100 | 200 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Atlanta run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $36,090 goes as far as $37,477 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 6.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$36,090as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$37,477US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $36,090 a year, 2.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,910 to $42,010 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 17,060 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Gainesville, at $34,950.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Atlanta, GA?
The median annual wage is $36,090, or $17.35 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 $35,320, so pay in Atlanta, GA is 2.2% higher. 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 $42,010 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,910 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 Gainesville, at $34,950 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 17,060 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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