Food Preparation Worker salary in Jackson, TN
Food Preparation Workers in the Jackson, TN metro area earn a median of $26,970 a year ($12.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,470 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 6.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $28,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Jackson, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,910 | $10.53 |
| 25th percentile | $23,420 | $11.26 |
| Median | $26,970 | $12.97 |
| 75th percentile | $32,790 | $15.77 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,470 | $17.05 |
| Average (mean) | $28,200 | $13.56 |
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 | $2,247.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,123.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,037.31 |
| Weekly | $518.65 |
| Hourly | $12.97 |
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 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 | 800 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 | 280 |
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 Jackson, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,360 | $12.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,490 | $9.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,850 | $11.95 |
| Bartender | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Dishwasher | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,280 | $33.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Jackson, 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 Jackson, TN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Jackson, TN metro area is $26,970 a year, or $12.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,470 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Jackson, TN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Jackson, TN metro area earn at least $35,470 a year. The top 25% earn $32,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Jackson, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,910 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $23,420 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Jackson, TN?
About 580 food preparation workers are employed in the Jackson, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.