Food Preparation Worker salary in Cleveland, TN
Food Preparation Workers in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn a median of $25,430 a year ($12.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,560 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 11% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 6.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Cleveland, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,570 | $10.37 |
| 25th percentile | $21,680 | $10.42 |
| Median | $25,430 | $12.23 |
| 75th percentile | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| Average (mean) | $27,950 | $13.44 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $2,119.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,059.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $978.08 |
| Weekly | $489.04 |
| Hourly | $12.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,640 | 6,410 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,960 | 2,510 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,020 | 930 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 | 280 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 | 580 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 | 800 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Cleveland, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $32,220 | $15.49 |
| Cooks, All Other | $20,420 | $9.82 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $28,660 | $13.78 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,140 | $12.57 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $23,300 | $11.20 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,580 | $17.59 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,240 | $11.65 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $26,130 | $12.56 |
| Bartender | $25,710 | $12.36 |
| Dishwasher | $28,450 | $13.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,640 | $14.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $62,180 | $29.89 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Cleveland, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Cleveland, TN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $25,430 a year, or $12.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Cleveland, TN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Cleveland, TN metro area earn at least $35,560 a year. The top 25% earn $33,280 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Cleveland, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,570 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $21,680 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Cleveland, TN?
About 280 food preparation workers are employed in the Cleveland, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.