How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make in Nashville?
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area. That is $19.41 an hour or $3,364 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.41
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 10 of 171
- Jobs in the area
- 550
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $23,120 | $11.12 | |
| 25th | $32,800 | $15.77 | |
| Median | $40,370 | $19.41 | |
| 75th | $40,370 | $19.41 | |
| 90th | $40,370 | $19.41 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for food preparation and serving related workers.
| Memphis, TN | $38,530 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $37,410 |
| Clarksville, TN | $36,660 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,970 |
| Kingsport, TN | $35,280 |
Related jobs in Nashville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $70,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,630 |
| Cook | $38,170 |
| Cook | $37,910 |
| Cook | $37,830 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,640 |
| Dishwasher | $34,380 |
| Cook | $34,210 |
| Food Server | $33,830 |
| Cook | $33,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make an hour in Nashville?
The median hourly pay in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $19.41 ($40,370 a year).
Do food preparation and serving related workers make more in Nashville than the national average?
Yes: $40,370 against $35,840 nationally, 13% more.
How does Nashville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,640, so Nashville pays 10% more.
Where does Nashville rank for food preparation and serving related worker pay?
10 of 171 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation and serving related worker make starting out in Nashville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $23,120 or less a year; the top 10% make $40,370 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.