How much does a food preparation worker make in Memphis?
$27,290a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $13.12 an hour or $2,274 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.12
- Vs. national median
- -23%
- Rank among cities
- 351 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 3,530
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,370Median: $27,290Highest 10%: $37,240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,370 | $10.75 | |
| 25th | $22,370 | $10.75 | |
| Median | $27,290 | $13.12 | |
| 75th | $34,120 | $16.40 | |
| 90th | $37,240 | $17.90 |
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 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,030 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 |
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 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,530 |
| 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 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $13.12 ($27,290 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $27,290 against $35,320 nationally, 23% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $28,700, so Memphis pays 5% less.
Where does Memphis rank for food preparation worker pay?
351 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $22,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,240 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.