How much does a food preparation worker make in Atlanta?
$36,090a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area. That is $17.35 an hour or $3,008 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.35
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 87 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 17,060
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,910Median: $36,090Highest 10%: $42,010
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,910 | $13.42 | |
| 25th | $30,940 | $14.88 | |
| Median | $36,090 | $17.35 | |
| 75th | $38,010 | $18.27 | |
| 90th | $42,010 | $20.20 |
Other cities in Georgia
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 |
| Augusta, GA | $32,090 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $31,830 |
| Macon, GA | $31,550 |
| Athens, GA | $31,190 |
| 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 Atlanta
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,660 |
| Cook | $42,960 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,240 |
| Cook | $37,230 |
| Cook | $37,080 |
| Food Server | $33,560 |
| Dishwasher | $31,780 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $29,470 |
| Host and Hostess | $28,560 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $27,780 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Atlanta?
The median hourly pay in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metro area is $17.35 ($36,090 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Atlanta than the national average?
Yes: $36,090 against $35,320 nationally, 2% more.
How does Atlanta compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $35,250, so Atlanta pays 2% more.
Where does Atlanta rank for food preparation worker pay?
87 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Atlanta?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $42,010 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.