Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Tennessee
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $27,470 a year ($13.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 90,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $31,200. Tennessee ranks 43rd of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay. There are 28 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,850 | $10.51 |
| 25th percentile | $23,490 | $11.30 |
| Median | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| 75th percentile | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Average (mean) | $27,870 | $13.40 |
Half of fast food and counter 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 | $2,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,144.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,056.54 |
| Weekly | $528.27 |
| Hourly | $13.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $29,150 | 28,680 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,720 | 12,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,490 | 15,320 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $27,140 | 7,770 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,890 | 4,170 |
| Morristown, TN | $26,530 | 1,590 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,360 | 2,370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,270 | 2,900 |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,140 | 1,830 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in Tennessee?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Tennessee is $27,470 a year, or $13.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Tennessee earn at least $35,060 a year. The top 25% earn $29,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,850 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,490 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Tennessee?
About 90,690 fast food and counter workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.