Food Preparation Worker salary in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Food Preparation Workers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median of $32,090 a year ($15.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,120 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,990 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 9% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,250. There are 4.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,740, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,600 | $10.87 |
| 25th percentile | $27,820 | $13.38 |
| Median | $32,090 | $15.43 |
| 75th percentile | $35,380 | $17.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,990 | $18.75 |
| Average (mean) | $31,740 | $15.26 |
Half of food preparation workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,674.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,337.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,234.23 |
| Weekly | $617.12 |
| Hourly | $15.43 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $32,090 salary, see how much house you can afford in Georgia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $36,920 | 960 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $36,220 | 2,650 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,090 | 17,060 |
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 | 520 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $34,180 | 5,800 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 | 1,060 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $33,330 | 1,320 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $31,830 | 420 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,550 | 510 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $31,190 | 510 |
| Albany, GA | $30,740 | 370 |
| Hinesville, GA | $30,690 | 100 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,640 | 380 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $30,430 | 2,780 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Columbia, SC | $30,260 | 2,030 |
| Dalton, GA | $30,100 | 200 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $29,460 | 1,130 |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 | 240 |
| Florence, SC | $29,180 | 530 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 | 340 |
| Sumter, SC | $28,230 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Georgia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $33,990 | $16.34 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,780 | $12.88 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,390 | $8.84 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Bartender | $21,100 | $10.15 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $25,720 | $12.37 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,950 | $12.96 |
| Dishwasher | $28,630 | $13.77 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $68,070 | $32.72 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $26,230 | $12.61 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $32,090 a year, or $15.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,600 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn at least $38,990 a year. The top 25% earn $35,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,600 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $27,820 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC?
About 1,120 food preparation workers are employed in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.