SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Gainesville
Gainesville, GA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $34,950 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 $34,950 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $30,270 and $37,170. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $24,230 and the ninetieth at $40,780.
The area has 520 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.0 of every thousand jobs. Atlanta leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $36,090. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 268th of 298 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,230 | −31.4% |
| 25th | $30,270 | −14.3% |
| Median (50th) | $34,950 | −1.0% |
| 75th | $37,170 | +5.2% |
| 90th | $40,780 | +15.5% |
| Mean | $34,260 | −3.0% |
Other metro areas in Georgia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atlanta | $36,090 | 17,060 | |
| 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 Gainesville run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $34,950 goes as far as $36,293 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 2.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,950as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,293US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,950 a year, 1.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $24,230 to $40,780 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 520 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 Gainesville, GA?
The median annual wage is $34,950, or $16.81 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 Gainesville, GA is 1.0% 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 Gainesville, GA earns more than $40,780 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $24,230 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 520 jobs in this occupation in Gainesville, 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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