How much does a food server make in Tennessee?
$30,670a year
Median yearly pay for food servers in Tennessee. That is $14.75 an hour or $2,556 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.75
- Vs. national median
- -13%
- Rank among states
- 40 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 5,230
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,620Median: $30,670Highest 10%: $46,750
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,620 | $10.88 | |
| 25th | $27,630 | $13.28 | |
| Median | $30,670 | $14.75 | |
| 75th | $36,180 | $17.39 | |
| 90th | $46,750 | $22.48 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $33,830 |
| Memphis, TN | $31,080 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $30,740 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,640 |
| Knoxville, TN | $29,100 |
| Kingsport, TN | $28,430 |
| Jackson, TN | $27,950 |
| Clarksville, TN | $27,510 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,050 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for food servers.
| 37. Georgia | $31,530 |
| 38. North Carolina | $31,460 |
| 39. Delaware | $31,430 |
| 40. Tennessee | $30,670 |
| 41. Ohio | $30,440 |
| 42. Utah | $30,170 |
| 43. West Virginia | $30,170 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food server make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $14.75 ($30,670 a year).
Do food servers make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $30,670 against $35,360 nationally, 13% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for food server pay?
Tennessee ranks 40 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays food servers the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $33,830 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.