Tennessee Median
$28,700
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $35,320
State Rank
#44 of 51
19,780 employed here
How much does a Food Preparation Worker make in Tennessee?
Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee take home a median of $28,700 annually — roughly $13.80 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $35,320.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,290 while the top 10% make $39,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,350 and $35,820 a year.
Food Preparation Worker salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,290 | $10.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $24,350 | $11.71 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,700 | $13.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,820 | $17.22 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,660 | $19.07 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories for Food Preparation Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Preparation Worker salary in other states
Washington $40,910District of Columbia $39,600California $39,350Colorado $38,960Massachusetts $38,900Hawaii $38,160Oregon $37,450North Dakota $36,800New Hampshire $36,780Arizona $36,750Connecticut $36,650Vermont $36,550Wyoming $36,110Maine $36,030Delaware $35,930Florida $35,920Alaska $35,720New York $35,610New Jersey $35,540Maryland $35,500Rhode Island $35,470Georgia $35,250Nebraska $35,210Virginia $34,900Illinois $34,850Minnesota $34,850Ohio $34,530Wisconsin $34,070Montana $33,860Utah $33,540Nevada $33,460New Mexico $33,370South Carolina $32,180Idaho $31,510Missouri $31,510Michigan $31,180Pennsylvania $30,840Texas $30,650South Dakota $30,430Iowa $30,360Kansas $30,280North Carolina $30,260Indiana $29,700Oklahoma $28,540West Virginia $28,360Alabama $27,930Arkansas $27,660Kentucky $26,850Mississippi $26,240Louisiana $23,620
Working as a Food Preparation Worker in Tennessee
Nationally, about 894,000 people work as Food Preparation Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($28,700) 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 does a Food Preparation Worker make in Tennessee?
The median Food Preparation Worker salary in Tennessee is $28,700 per year, or about $13.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,290 at the entry level to $39,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Food Preparation Workers about 19% less than the national median of $35,320. Tennessee ranks 44th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Food Preparation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,700 a year. About 19,780 Food Preparation Workers are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Worker 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.