How much does a food preparation worker make in Cleveland?
$25,430a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Cleveland, TN metro area. That is $12.23 an hour or $2,119 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.23
- Vs. national median
- -28%
- Rank among cities
- 373 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,570Median: $25,430Highest 10%: $35,560
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,570 | $10.37 | |
| 25th | $21,680 | $10.42 | |
| Median | $25,430 | $12.23 | |
| 75th | $33,280 | $16.00 | |
| 90th | $35,560 | $17.10 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Nashville, TN | $34,640 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,960 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $30,300 |
| Kingsport, TN | $28,020 |
| Memphis, TN | $27,290 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,030 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 |
Related jobs in Cleveland
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,580 |
| Cook | $35,030 |
| Cook | $32,220 |
| Dishwasher | $28,450 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $26,140 |
| Host and Hostess | $26,130 |
| Bartender | $25,710 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $24,240 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $23,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Cleveland?
The median hourly pay in the Cleveland, TN metro area is $12.23 ($25,430 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Cleveland than the national average?
No: $25,430 against $35,320 nationally, 28% less.
How does Cleveland compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $28,700, so Cleveland pays 11% less.
Where does Cleveland rank for food preparation worker pay?
373 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Cleveland?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,570 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,560 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.