How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Memphis?
$38,530a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $18.52 an hour or $3,211 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.52
- Vs. national median
- +8%
- Rank among cities
- 19 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 460
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,220Median: $38,530Highest 10%: $38,550
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,220 | $13.57 | |
| 25th | $33,580 | $16.14 | |
| Median | $38,530 | $18.52 | |
| 75th | $38,530 | $18.52 | |
| 90th | $38,550 | $18.53 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| Nashville, TN | $40,370 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $37,410 |
| Clarksville, TN | $36,660 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,970 |
| Kingsport, TN | $35,280 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,230 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,620 |
| Cook | $38,950 |
| Cook | $36,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,740 |
| Cook | $33,170 |
| Food Server | $31,080 |
| Cook | $29,880 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 |
| Bartender | $28,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $18.52 ($38,530 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Memphis than the national average?
Yes: $38,530 against $35,840 nationally, 8% more.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,640, so Memphis pays 5% more.
Where does Memphis rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
19 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,220 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,550 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.