Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$34,200$16.44 per hour · $2,850 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
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Take-Home Pay Explorer
Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Athens-Clarke County, GA
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (GA) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $11.59/hr | $2,008 | $24,100 | $21,002 |
| 25th Percentile | $13.80/hr | $2,392 | $28,700 | $24,557 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $16.44/hr | $2,850 | $34,200 | $28,702 |
| 75th Percentile | $17.55/hr | $3,042 | $36,500 | $30,435 |
| 90th Percentile | $18.85/hr | $3,267 | $39,200 | $32,470 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Athens-Clarke County, GA
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$34,200 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Georgia:
Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Athens-Clarke County, GA
What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $34,200, which equates to approximately $2,850 per month or $16.44 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA is $16.44 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.59/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.85/hour.
What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Athens-Clarke County, GA span from $24,100 at the 10th percentile to $28,700 at the 25th, $36,500 at the 75th, and $39,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
On a median gross salary of $34,200, an estimated $28,702 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,104 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,498 (an effective rate of 16.1%).
How much do food preparation workers make per month in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
On the median annual salary of $34,200, gross monthly income is $2,850. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,392 per month (or $1,104 every two weeks).
Is $34,200 a good salary in Athens-Clarke County, GA?
At $34,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 52.1% of the Athens-Clarke County, GA median household income ($65,608). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 93.3, making regional consumer goods and services 6.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.