Food Preparation Workers Salary in Augusta, GA-SC

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC

Median annual salary $30,530 -10.8% vs national
Median hourly $14.68
10th percentile $22,600
90th percentile $38,330
Employed locally 1,190
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Augusta, GA-SC
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,600
    25th
    $27,560
    50th (median)
    $30,530
    75th
    $34,820
    90th
    $38,330

    Augusta economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $66,628 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 46% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 54% 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 Augusta, GA-SC

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $24,960
    Waiters and Waitresses $18,200
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,840
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,750
    Bartenders $20,500
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $23,370

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Augusta, GA-SC is $14.68, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.75 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Augusta, GA-SC is 10.8% 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 Augusta?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,600 per year in Augusta, GA-SC. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,560.