SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Columbus
Columbus, GA-AL · 10 metro areas compared
In Columbus, GA the median wage is $29,030.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Columbus, GA the median wage is $29,030. That is 17.8% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay ranges from under $20,740 at the tenth percentile to more than $35,910 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $22,110 to $33,450.
Employment stands at 830, or 7.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Atlanta records the highest median at $36,090. Of the 331 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 301st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,740 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $22,110 | −37.4% |
| Median (50th) | $29,030 | −17.8% |
| 75th | $33,450 | −5.3% |
| 90th | $35,910 | +1.7% |
| Mean | $28,570 | −19.1% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | $36,090 | 17,060 | |
| 2 | Gainesville | $34,950 | 520 | |
| 3 | Savannah | $34,130 | 1,060 | |
| 4 | Augusta | $32,090 | 1,120 | |
| 5 | Warner Robins | $31,830 | 420 | |
| 6 | Macon | $31,550 | 510 | |
| 7 | Athens | $31,190 | 510 | |
| 8 | Albany | $30,740 | 370 | |
| 9 | Hinesville | $30,690 | 100 | |
| 10 | Brunswick | $30,640 | 380 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Columbus run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $29,030 goes as far as $30,145 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 14.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,030as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$30,145US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,030 a year, 17.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,740 to $35,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 830 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Atlanta, at $36,090.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Columbus, GA?
The median annual wage is $29,030, or $13.96 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 Columbus, GA is 17.8% 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 Columbus, GA earns more than $35,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,740 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 Atlanta, at $36,090 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 830 jobs in this occupation in Columbus, 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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