Food Preparation Workers pay range in Athens
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,460 a year or less, while the top 10% make $36,940 or more. The middle half of food preparation workers in Athens earn between $27,780 and $35,550.
- $22K10th
- $28K25th
- $31KMedian
- $36K75th
- $37K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $31,430 | $2,619 | $15.11 |
| Median | $31,190 | $2,599 | $15.00 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $27,780 | $2,315 | $13.36 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $35,550 | $2,962 | $17.09 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Food Preparation Workers pay in Athens vs. Georgia and the U.S.
Food preparation workers in Athens earn 7% less than the Georgia average ($33,970) and 11% less than the U.S. average ($35,290). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $35,320.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Athens | $31,430 | $31,190 | $22,460 | $36,940 | 510 |
| Georgia | $33,970 | $35,250 | $24,840 | $40,390 | 26,450 |
| United States | $35,290 | $35,320 | $25,810 | $45,340 | 893,600 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Food Preparation Workers salary after taxes in Athens
On the average salary of $31,430, a single filer in Athens takes home about $26,614 a year, or $2,218 a month and $1,024 every two weeks. Taxes take 15% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Athens a good place for food preparation workers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Athens area are 7% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 93.3), so the average $31,430 buys what about $33,672 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Athens ($41,220). A typical home costs $373,118, or 11.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Food Preparation Workers salary in other Georgia cities
Athens ranks 7th of 14 Georgia metro areas for this job; Atlanta pays the most ($35,390).
- Atlanta$35,390
- Gainesville$34,260
- Savannah$33,290
- Warner Robins$32,190
- Augusta$31,740
- Macon$31,440
- Athens$31,430
- Brunswick$31,410
- Albany$30,730
- Hinesville$30,590
Highest-paying cities for food preparation workers
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($48,150).
- Kahului, HI$48,150
- San Jose, CA$45,660
- Seattle, WA$44,390
- Napa, CA$44,240
- Santa Rosa, CA$43,450
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Food Preparation Workers salary in Athens: questions
How much do food preparation workers make an hour in Athens?
$15.11 an hour on average, and $15.00 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Athens?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $22,460 a year and the 25th percentile is $27,780, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the food preparation workers take-home pay in Athens?
About $26,614 a year ($2,218 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $31,430.
Do food preparation workers earn more in Athens than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% less than the U.S. average for this job ($35,290).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2021; area Athens-Clarke County, GA (12020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 1.8%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.92, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.