How much does a food preparation worker make in Athens?
$31,190a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area. That is $15.00 an hour or $2,599 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.00
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 239 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,460Median: $31,190Highest 10%: $36,940
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,460 | $10.80 | |
| 25th | $27,780 | $13.36 | |
| Median | $31,190 | $15.00 | |
| 75th | $35,550 | $17.09 | |
| 90th | $36,940 | $17.76 |
Other cities in Georgia
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Atlanta, GA | $36,090 |
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 |
| Augusta, GA | $32,090 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $31,830 |
| Macon, GA | $31,550 |
| Albany, GA | $30,740 |
| Hinesville, GA | $30,690 |
| Brunswick, GA | $30,640 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $30,300 |
| Dalton, GA | $30,100 |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 |
| Columbus, GA | $29,030 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 |
Related jobs in Athens
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $50,330 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $37,060 |
| Cook | $33,960 |
| Cook | $33,540 |
| Food Server | $31,680 |
| Cook | $31,120 |
| Dishwasher | $27,870 |
| Host and Hostess | $25,840 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $24,960 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $24,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Athens?
The median hourly pay in the Athens-Clarke County, GA metro area is $15.00 ($31,190 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Athens than the national average?
No: $31,190 against $35,320 nationally, 12% less.
How does Athens compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $35,250, so Athens pays 12% less.
Where does Athens rank for food preparation worker pay?
239 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,460 or less a year; the top 10% make $36,940 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.