Food Preparation Worker salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Food Preparation Workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $27,290 a year ($13.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,240 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 5.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,130, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,370 | $10.76 |
| 25th percentile | $22,370 | $10.76 |
| Median | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| 75th percentile | $34,120 | $16.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| Average (mean) | $29,130 | $14.01 |
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 | $2,274.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,137.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,049.62 |
| Weekly | $524.81 |
| Hourly | $13.12 |
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 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $30,560 | 1,040 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $28,270 | 620 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,020 | 930 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $27,880 | 1,840 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $27,580 | 240 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,290 | 310 |
| Jackson, MS | $27,200 | 1,220 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 | 280 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 | 580 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,900 | 320 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 | 800 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $26,340 | 200 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 | 280 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $24,370 | 1,440 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,880 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, All Other | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,490 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,610 | $13.27 |
| Bartender | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $27,290 a year, or $13.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $37,240 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $37,240 a year. The top 25% earn $34,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,370 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,370 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 3,530 food preparation workers are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.