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Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

In the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $36,600 ($17.60/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $25,800/year and the 90th was $42,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Georgia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $30,510 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 100.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$36,600$17.60 per hour · $3,050 monthly
10th Percentile$25,800$12.40/hr base
25th Percentile$30,800$14.81/hr base
75th Percentile$39,200$18.85/hr base
90th Percentile$42,000$20.19/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $37,000 a year leaves after tax in GeorgiaFederal tax, FICA and Georgia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Georgia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Georgia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$36,600
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$36,600
Net 83%
Fed 6%
GA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$30,510After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,543Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,173Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.6%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,212 / yr
Georgia state income tax$1,078 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,800 / yr
Customize deductions in full Georgia calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (GA)
10th Percentile$12.40/hr$2,150$25,800$22,317
25th Percentile$14.81/hr$2,567$30,800$26,139
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.60/hr$3,050$36,600$30,510
75th Percentile$18.85/hr$3,267$39,200$32,470
90th Percentile$20.19/hr$3,500$42,000$34,580

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$36,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$89,724Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index100.10.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.8%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Georgia:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Georgia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is $36,600, which equates to approximately $3,050 per month or $17.60 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA is $17.60 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $12.40/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.19/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA span from $25,800 at the 10th percentile to $30,800 at the 25th, $39,200 at the 75th, and $42,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

On a median gross salary of $36,600, an estimated $30,510 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,173 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,090 (an effective rate of 16.6%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

On the median annual salary of $36,600, gross monthly income is $3,050. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,543 per month (or $1,173 every two weeks).

Is $36,600 a good salary in Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA?

At $36,600, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.8% of the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA median household income ($89,724). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 100.1, making regional consumer goods and services 0.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.