How much does a food preparation worker make in Columbus?
$29,030a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area. That is $13.96 an hour or $2,419 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.96
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 305 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,740Median: $29,030Highest 10%: $35,910
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,740 | $9.97 | |
| 25th | $22,110 | $10.63 | |
| Median | $29,030 | $13.96 | |
| 75th | $33,450 | $16.08 | |
| 90th | $35,910 | $17.26 |
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 |
| 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 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 |
Related jobs in Columbus
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,180 |
| Cook | $31,940 |
| Cook | $30,470 |
| Dishwasher | $28,490 |
| Food Server | $28,360 |
| Cook | $26,560 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $26,370 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $25,740 |
| Host and Hostess | $24,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Columbus?
The median hourly pay in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $13.96 ($29,030 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Columbus than the national average?
No: $29,030 against $35,320 nationally, 18% less.
How does Columbus compare with the rest of Georgia?
The median in Georgia is $35,250, so Columbus pays 18% less.
Where does Columbus rank for food preparation worker pay?
305 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Columbus?
The lowest-paid 10% make $20,740 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,910 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.