How much does a food preparation worker make in Knoxville?
$30,960a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $14.88 an hour or $2,580 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.88
- Vs. national median
- -12%
- Rank among cities
- 243 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 2,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,480Median: $30,960Highest 10%: $39,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,480 | $10.81 | |
| 25th | $25,670 | $12.34 | |
| Median | $30,960 | $14.88 | |
| 75th | $35,400 | $17.02 | |
| 90th | $39,060 | $18.78 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Nashville, TN | $34,640 |
| 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 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,770 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $41,380 |
| Cook | $36,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,970 |
| Cook | $35,150 |
| Cook | $35,120 |
| Cook | $30,210 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,080 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Food Server | $29,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $14.88 ($30,960 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Knoxville than the national average?
No: $30,960 against $35,320 nationally, 12% less.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $28,700, so Knoxville pays 8% more.
Where does Knoxville rank for food preparation worker pay?
243 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,480 or less a year; the top 10% make $39,060 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.