Food Preparation Worker salary in Valdosta, GA
Food Preparation Workers in the Valdosta, GA metro area earn a median of $29,020 a year ($13.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 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 6.3 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Valdosta, GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,670 | $10.42 |
| 25th percentile | $25,200 | $12.11 |
| Median | $29,020 | $13.95 |
| 75th percentile | $33,870 | $16.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Average (mean) | $29,170 | $14.03 |
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 | $2,418.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,209.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,116.15 |
| Weekly | $558.08 |
| Hourly | $13.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,020 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 |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
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 Valdosta, GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $29,880 | $14.36 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $23,640 | $11.36 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $29,710 | $14.28 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $23,100 | $11.11 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $18,510 | $8.90 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $34,650 | $16.66 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,360 | $11.23 |
| Bartender | $25,920 | $12.46 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,260 | $11.66 |
| Dishwasher | $27,540 | $13.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,810 | $13.37 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $26,440 | $12.71 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Valdosta, GA
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 Valdosta, GA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Valdosta, GA metro area is $29,020 a year, or $13.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,670 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,180 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Valdosta, GA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Valdosta, GA metro area earn at least $36,180 a year. The top 25% earn $33,870 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Valdosta, GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,670 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $25,200 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Valdosta, GA?
About 340 food preparation workers are employed in the Valdosta, GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.