Food Preparation Worker Salary in Augusta, GA
Food Preparation Workers in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area earn a median $32,090 a year — 9% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $26,922 take-home, or $2,243 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food preparation worker salary in Augusta, GA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,671
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,990
- Medicare (1.45%)$465
- Georgia income tax$1,043
- Take-home pay$26,922
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 5.19% state
The Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro spans Georgia, South Carolina. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Food Preparation Worker pay by experience in Augusta, GA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,600 | $10.87 | $19,671 | $1,639 |
| 25th percentile | $27,820 | $13.38 | $23,699 | $1,975 |
| Median (50th) | $32,090 | $15.43 | $26,922 | $2,243 |
| 75th percentile | $35,380 | $17.01 | $29,394 | $2,450 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,990 | $18.75 | $32,108 | $2,676 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Georgia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $32,090 buys in Augusta, GA
Prices in Augusta, GA are 8.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 29% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median food preparation worker's $26,922 take-home pay has the buying power of $29,294 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Food Preparation Worker jobs are about as common in Augusta, GA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.84).
Best-paying cities for food preparation workers, adjusted for cost of living
Augusta, GA ranks #131 of 254 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yakima, WA | $41,750 | $35,726 | $37,392 |
| 2 | Wildwood, FL | $35,410 | $30,632 | $35,859 |
| 3 | Fargo, ND | $36,590 | $31,580 | $34,753 |
| 4 | Wichita Falls, TX | $35,700 | $30,865 | $34,481 |
| 5 | Kahului, HI | $46,680 | $37,642 | $34,410 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $45,580 | $37,398 | $33,868 |
| 7 | Springfield, MO | $35,340 | $29,852 | $33,699 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $43,830 | $37,397 | $33,651 |
| 131 | Augusta, GA | $32,090 | $26,922 | $29,294 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 254 metros →
Food Preparation Worker salaries elsewhere in Georgia
- Gainesville, GA — $34,950
- Macon, GA — $31,550
- Atlanta, GA — $36,090
- Savannah, GA — $34,130
- Athens, GA — $31,190
- Columbus, GA — $29,030
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Augusta, GA?
The median food preparation worker salary in the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area is $32,090 a year, or about $15.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $27,820 and $35,380.
What is a food preparation worker’s take-home pay in Augusta, GA?
On the median $32,090 salary, a single filer living in Georgia takes home about $26,922 a year ($2,243 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,043 in Georgia taxes in 2026.
Is Augusta, GA a good place to work as a food preparation worker?
Pay here is 9% below the national median of $35,320. Local prices are 8.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $29,294 would in a typical U.S. city. Augusta, GA ranks #131 of 254 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food preparation worker afford rent in Augusta, GA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Augusta, GA is $1,110 a month ($1,258 for two bedrooms) — 49% of a median food preparation worker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Augusta, GA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $37,120
- Cooks, Restaurant — $33,990
- Dishwasher — $28,630
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $26,950
- Cooks, Fast Food — $26,780
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $26,620
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $25,720
- Bartender — $21,100
- Waiter and Waitress — $18,390