Food Preparation Worker salary in Tennessee
Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee earn a median of $28,700 a year ($13.80 an hour), based on BLS data for 19,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,660 for the top 10%. That is 19% lower than the national median of $35,320. Tennessee ranks 44th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay. There are 6.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,290 | $10.71 |
| 25th percentile | $24,350 | $11.71 |
| Median | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| 75th percentile | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
| Average (mean) | $30,860 | $14.84 |
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 | $2,391.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,195.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,103.85 |
| Weekly | $551.92 |
| Hourly | $13.80 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
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 35-2021. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Tennessee is $28,700 a year, or $13.80 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Tennessee earn at least $39,660 a year. The top 25% earn $35,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,290 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $24,350 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Tennessee?
About 19,780 food preparation workers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.