Food Preparation Worker salary in Morristown, TN
Food Preparation Workers in the Morristown, TN metro area earn a median of $27,020 a year ($12.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,480 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 5.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Morristown, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,860 | $10.51 |
| 25th percentile | $22,540 | $10.84 |
| Median | $27,020 | $12.99 |
| 75th percentile | $30,350 | $14.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Average (mean) | $27,480 | $13.21 |
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 | $2,251.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,125.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,039.23 |
| Weekly | $519.62 |
| Hourly | $12.99 |
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 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 | 580 |
| 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 Morristown, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,670 | $17.15 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,310 | $13.13 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,530 | $12.76 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,370 | $13.16 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,380 | $17.49 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,600 | $11.34 |
| Bartender | $23,730 | $11.41 |
| Dishwasher | $29,820 | $14.34 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,290 | $29.47 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Morristown, 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 Morristown, TN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Morristown, TN metro area is $27,020 a year, or $12.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Morristown, TN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Morristown, TN metro area earn at least $35,480 a year. The top 25% earn $30,350 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Morristown, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,860 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $22,540 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Morristown, TN?
About 280 food preparation workers are employed in the Morristown, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.