SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — North Georgia
North Georgia nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Georgia, GA is $30,700 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Georgia, GA is $30,700 a year, trailing the national median of $35,320 by 13.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $27,630 and $35,770. The lowest tenth earn under $22,780, while the highest tenth earn more than $36,980.
The area has 900 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.83 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Atlanta records the highest median at $36,090. Of the 388 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 352nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,780 | −35.5% |
| 25th | $27,630 | −21.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,700 | −13.1% |
| 75th | $35,770 | +1.3% |
| 90th | $36,980 | +4.7% |
| Mean | $31,010 | −12.2% |
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 North Georgia run 3.7% below the national average, so the median of $30,700 goes as far as $31,880 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 9.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,700as reported by BLSLocal price level
96.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,880US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,700 a year, 13.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $22,780 to $36,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 900 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 North Georgia, GA?
The median annual wage is $30,700, or $14.76 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 North Georgia, GA is 13.1% 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 North Georgia, GA earns more than $36,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $22,780 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 900 jobs in this occupation in North Georgia, 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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