Food Preparation Workers Salary in Athens, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Athens-Clarke County, GA

Median annual salary $30,320 -11.4% vs national
Median hourly $14.58
10th percentile $22,870
90th percentile $37,160
Employed locally 530
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Athens, GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,870
    25th
    $27,790
    50th (median)
    $30,320
    75th
    $34,590
    90th
    $37,160

    Athens economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $62,897 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 48% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 52% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA $35,700
    Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY $34,270
    Gainesville, GA $34,090
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $33,950
    Gainesville, FL $33,860
    Michigan $32,810

    Related occupations in Athens, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,530
    Waiters and Waitresses $17,810
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,740
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,990
    Bartenders $19,500
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $25,080

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Athens?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Athens, GA is $14.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.76 or more per hour.

    Is Athens above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Athens, GA is 11.4% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Athens?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,870 per year in Athens, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,790.