Food Service Manager salary in Tennessee
Food Service Managers in Tennessee earn a median of $64,410 a year ($30.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,550 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,150 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $69,390. Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for food service managers pay. There are 1.4 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $71,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,080 | $20.71 |
| 25th percentile | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| Median | $64,410 | $30.97 |
| 75th percentile | $80,060 | $38.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,150 | $48.63 |
| Average (mean) | $71,740 | $34.49 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $5,367.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,683.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,477.31 |
| Weekly | $1,238.65 |
| Hourly | $30.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Service Manager salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $69,860 | 1,680 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,510 | 760 |
| Knoxville, TN | $63,940 | 610 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $63,720 | 460 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,960 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $61,550 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,450 | 50 |
| Jackson, TN | $61,380 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,630 | 120 |
| Cleveland, TN | $60,630 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $99,430 | $47.80 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $97,590 | — |
| Construction Manager | $110,200 | $52.98 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $161,430 | $77.61 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $88,240 | $42.43 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $100,850 | $48.49 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $118,330 | $56.89 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $49,200 | $23.65 |
| Lodging Manager | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Funeral Home Manager | $78,130 | $37.56 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. 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 service manager make in Tennessee?
The median salary for food service managers in Tennessee is $64,410 a year, or $30.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,080 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,150 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of food service managers in Tennessee earn at least $101,150 a year. The top 25% earn $80,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,080 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $57,200 or less.
How many food service managers work in Tennessee?
About 4,550 food service managers are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.