Food Preparation Workers Salary in Columbus, GA-AL

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Columbus, GA-AL

Median annual salary $29,410 -14.1% vs national
Median hourly $14.14
10th percentile $20,440
90th percentile $35,480
Employed locally 710
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Columbus, GA-AL
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,440
    25th
    $22,970
    50th (median)
    $29,410
    75th
    $33,250
    90th
    $35,480

    Columbus economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $57,762 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 51% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 49% 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 Columbus, GA-AL

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,000
    Waiters and Waitresses $17,490
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,150
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,890
    Cooks, Fast Food $24,930
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $29,430

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Columbus, GA-AL is $14.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.27 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Columbus, GA-AL is 14.1% 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 Columbus?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $20,440 per year in Columbus, GA-AL. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,970.