Tennessee Median
$36,640
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $35,840
State Rank
#12 of 44
2,670 employed here
How much do Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in Tennessee?
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Tennessee take home a median of $36,640 annually — roughly $17.62 an hour — which runs 2% above the national median of $35,840.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,990 while the top 10% make $40,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,480 and $38,530 a year.
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,990 | $11.05 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,480 | $14.17 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,640 | $17.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,530 | $18.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,370 | $19.41 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 12th out of 44 states and territories for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in other states
Nebraska $46,170Hawaii $43,540Oregon $39,080Illinois $38,880District of Columbia $38,580New Hampshire $38,210Indiana $38,160Arizona $37,600Maryland $37,500Utah $37,180California $36,910Connecticut $36,320New Jersey $36,290New Mexico $36,250Virginia $35,870Colorado $35,710Massachusetts $35,300Michigan $35,100Washington $34,650New York $34,340Florida $34,200Delaware $33,840Iowa $33,480Pennsylvania $33,040Vermont $32,420Wyoming $31,840Arkansas $31,660Nevada $31,510Wisconsin $31,240Oklahoma $31,200Rhode Island $31,200Mississippi $30,600Texas $30,210North Carolina $30,160Montana $29,720Missouri $28,600Ohio $27,540Georgia $25,740North Dakota $23,410Alabama $22,990South Carolina $22,230Louisiana $21,820West Virginia $21,640
Working as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Tennessee
Nationally, about 85,000 people work as Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($36,640) 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 Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other make in Tennessee?
The median Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary in Tennessee is $36,640 per year, or about $17.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,990 at the entry level to $40,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other about 2% more than the national median of $35,840. Tennessee ranks 12th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $36,640 a year. About 2,670 Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other 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 Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other salary report
Related salaries
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed
$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
$37,390
median pay · 1,410,000 employed
$35,230
median pay · 2,271,000 employed
$35,880
median pay · 139,000 employed
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.