Food Preparation Worker salary in Columbus, GA-AL
Food Preparation Workers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn a median of $29,030 a year ($13.96 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,910 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 18% lower than the Georgia statewide median of $35,250. There are 7.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,570, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,740 | $9.97 |
| 25th percentile | $22,110 | $10.63 |
| Median | $29,030 | $13.96 |
| 75th percentile | $33,450 | $16.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,910 | $17.27 |
| Average (mean) | $28,570 | $13.73 |
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 | $2,419.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,209.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,116.54 |
| Weekly | $558.27 |
| Hourly | $13.96 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,030 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,090 | 17,060 |
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 | 520 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 | 1,060 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,090 | 1,120 |
| 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 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Dalton, GA | $30,100 | 200 |
| Huntsville, AL | $29,850 | n/a |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 | 240 |
| Birmingham, AL | $29,260 | 4,320 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 | 340 |
| Auburn-Opelika, AL | $28,770 | 730 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $28,530 | 870 |
| Daphne-Fairhope-Foley, AL | $28,490 | 1,190 |
| Mobile, AL | $28,390 | 1,430 |
| Decatur, AL | $28,180 | 430 |
| Montgomery, AL | $27,420 | 1,470 |
| Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL | $27,410 | 540 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $27,230 | 430 |
| Dothan, AL | $26,580 | 650 |
| Gadsden, AL | $26,050 | 310 |
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 Columbus, GA-AL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $30,470 | $14.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,560 | $12.77 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,940 | $15.36 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,300 | $11.20 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,800 | $10.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Bartender | $20,940 | $10.07 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $25,740 | $12.38 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $24,890 | $11.96 |
| Dishwasher | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,360 | $13.64 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,920 | $30.25 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $26,370 | $12.68 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Columbus, GA-AL
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 Columbus, GA-AL?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area is $29,030 a year, or $13.96 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,910 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Columbus, GA-AL?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area earn at least $35,910 a year. The top 25% earn $33,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Columbus, GA-AL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,740 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,110 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Columbus, GA-AL?
About 830 food preparation workers are employed in the Columbus, GA-AL metro area, not counting the self-employed.