Baker salary in Tennessee
Bakers in Tennessee earn a median of $34,440 a year ($16.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,200 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $37,160. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for bakers pay. There are 1.6 bakers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,530, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for bakers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,380 | $10.76 |
| 25th percentile | $23,960 | $11.52 |
| Median | $34,440 | $16.56 |
| 75th percentile | $40,880 | $19.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| Average (mean) | $34,530 | $16.60 |
Half of bakers 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 | $2,870 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,435 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,324.62 |
| Weekly | $662.31 |
| Hourly | $16.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Baker salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $40,880 | 790 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,920 | 1,670 |
| Jackson, TN | $34,630 | 130 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,400 | 640 |
| Knoxville, TN | $31,890 | 610 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $31,190 | 140 |
| Johnson City, TN | $30,720 | 200 |
| Cleveland, TN | $29,420 | 150 |
| Morristown, TN | $28,870 | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,100 | 180 |
Highest-paying states for bakers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $46,710 |
| Washington | $46,140 |
| District of Columbia | $44,040 |
| California | $43,120 |
| Colorado | $40,650 |
| Minnesota | $40,210 |
| Wyoming | $40,000 |
| Vermont | $39,980 |
| Alaska | $39,710 |
| Nevada | $39,540 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Food Batchmaker | $42,610 | $20.49 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,960 | $19.21 |
| Food Processing Workers, All Other | $42,690 | $20.52 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,620 | $21.93 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $35,790 | $17.21 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $44,630 | $21.46 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $65,310 | $31.40 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $48,040 | $23.10 |
| Machinist | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,190 | $20.77 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3011. 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 baker make in Tennessee?
The median salary for bakers in Tennessee is $34,440 a year, or $16.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid bakers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of bakers in Tennessee earn at least $46,400 a year. The top 25% earn $40,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for bakers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,380 a year, and a quarter of bakers earn $23,960 or less.
How many bakers work in Tennessee?
About 5,200 bakers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.