Food Preparation Workers Salary in Gainesville, GA

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

Median annual salary $34,090 -0.4% vs national
Median hourly $16.39
10th percentile $26,340
90th percentile $41,710
Employed locally 470
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Gainesville, GA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,340
    25th
    $29,310
    50th (median)
    $34,090
    75th
    $36,800
    90th
    $41,710

    Gainesville economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $77,430 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 44% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 56% 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
    Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV $33,950
    Gainesville, FL $33,860
    Michigan $32,810
    Savannah, GA $32,550

    Related occupations in Gainesville, GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,730
    Waiters and Waitresses $19,650
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,280
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,020
    Cooks, Fast Food $27,890
    Dishwashers $29,640

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Gainesville, GA is $16.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.61 or more per hour.

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

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Gainesville, GA is 0.4% 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 Gainesville?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $26,340 per year in Gainesville, GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,310.