How much does a food preparation worker make in Tennessee?
$28,700a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in Tennessee. That is $13.80 an hour or $2,392 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.80
- Vs. national median
- -19%
- Rank among states
- 44 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 19,780
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,290Median: $28,700Highest 10%: $39,660
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,290 | $10.72 | |
| 25th | $24,350 | $11.71 | |
| Median | $28,700 | $13.80 | |
| 75th | $35,820 | $17.22 | |
| 90th | $39,660 | $19.07 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| 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 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food preparation workers.
| 41. Kansas | $30,280 |
| 42. North Carolina | $30,260 |
| 43. Indiana | $29,700 |
| 44. Tennessee | $28,700 |
| 45. Oklahoma | $28,540 |
| 46. West Virginia | $28,360 |
| 47. Alabama | $27,930 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $13.80 ($28,700 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $28,700 against $35,320 nationally, 19% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for food preparation worker pay?
Tennessee ranks 44 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays food preparation workers the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $34,640 a year.
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.