How much does a food preparation worker make in Jackson?
$26,970a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Jackson, TN metro area. That is $12.97 an hour or $2,248 a month.
- Hourly
- $12.97
- Vs. national median
- -24%
- Rank among cities
- 361 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,910Median: $26,970Highest 10%: $35,470
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,910 | $10.53 | |
| 25th | $23,420 | $11.26 | |
| Median | $26,970 | $12.97 | |
| 75th | $32,790 | $15.76 | |
| 90th | $35,470 | $17.05 |
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 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 |
Related jobs in Jackson
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $69,280 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $36,660 |
| Cook | $35,490 |
| Cook | $35,110 |
| Dishwasher | $29,630 |
| Host and Hostess | $29,300 |
| Food Server | $27,950 |
| Cook | $26,430 |
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $26,360 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $24,850 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Jackson?
The median hourly pay in the Jackson, TN metro area is $12.97 ($26,970 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Jackson than the national average?
No: $26,970 against $35,320 nationally, 24% less.
How does Jackson compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $28,700, so Jackson pays 6% less.
Where does Jackson rank for food preparation worker pay?
361 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Jackson?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,910 or less a year; the top 10% make $35,470 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.