Tennessee Median
$45,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+10% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#10 of 41
1,820 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Tennessee?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Tennessee take home a median of $45,620 annually — roughly $21.93 an hour — which runs 10% above the national median of $41,590.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $35,100 while the top 10% make $62,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,200 and $55,270 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,100 | $16.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,200 | $19.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $45,620 | $21.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $55,270 | $26.57 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,560 | $30.08 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 10th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Colorado $46,900Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000South Dakota $39,270North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440South Carolina $38,220Maine $37,500New Jersey $37,180Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Virginia $35,140Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Tennessee
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($45,620) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Tennessee?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Tennessee is $45,620 per year, or about $21.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,100 at the entry level to $62,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 10% more than the national median of $41,590. Tennessee ranks 10th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $45,620 a year. About 1,820 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.