Food Preparation Workers Salary in Dalton, GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Dalton, GA

Median annual salary $31,430 -8.2% vs national
Median hourly $15.11
10th percentile $22,810
90th percentile $34,250
Employed locally 230
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Dalton, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,810
    25th
    $28,600
    50th (median)
    $31,430
    75th
    $31,810
    90th
    $34,250

    Dalton economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.00% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $65,715 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 Dalton, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $23,300
    Waiters and Waitresses $19,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $35,130
    Cooks, Restaurant $30,110
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $24,930
    Bartenders $19,170

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Dalton, GA is $15.11, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.94 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Dalton, GA is 8.2% 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 Dalton?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,810 per year in Dalton, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,600.