Food Preparation Workers pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for food preparation workers is $13.80 an hour ($28,700 a year). About 19,780 people work in this job there.
That is 19% lower than the U.S. median ($35,320). Tennessee ranks 44th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $10.71 | $22,290 |
| 25% of workers | $11.71 | $24,350 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.80 | $28,700 |
| 75% of workers | $17.22 | $35,820 |
| 90% of workers | $19.07 | $39,660 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $34,640 | 6,410 |
| Knoxville | $30,960 | 2,510 |
| Chattanooga | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $28,020 | 930 |
| Memphis | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Clarksville | $27,030 | 790 |
| Morristown | $27,020 | 280 |
| Jackson | $26,970 | 580 |
| Johnson City | $26,850 | 800 |
| Cleveland | $25,430 | 280 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 |
| Bakers | $34,440 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.