Tennessee Median
$30,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.75
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $35,360
State Rank
#40 of 51
5,230 employed here
How much does a Food Server, Nonrestaurant make in Tennessee?
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Tennessee take home a median of $30,670 annually — roughly $14.75 an hour — which runs 13% below the national median of $35,360.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,620 while the top 10% make $46,750 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,630 and $36,180 a year.
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,620 | $10.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,630 | $13.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,670 | $14.75 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,180 | $17.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,750 | $22.48 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Food Server, Nonrestaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in other states
New York $39,370California $39,010Colorado $38,900Washington $38,870Alaska $38,090District of Columbia $37,920Hawaii $37,920Maine $37,680Vermont $37,540North Dakota $36,910Massachusetts $36,750New Hampshire $36,710Maryland $36,650Oregon $36,620New Jersey $36,390Nevada $36,030Minnesota $36,000Connecticut $35,950New Mexico $35,740Arizona $35,390Virginia $35,090Illinois $35,080Rhode Island $34,860Wisconsin $34,670Michigan $34,260Idaho $34,220Florida $33,930Pennsylvania $33,300Wyoming $33,090Kentucky $32,200Montana $32,090South Dakota $31,980Indiana $31,840Missouri $31,840South Carolina $31,740Nebraska $31,540Georgia $31,530North Carolina $31,460Delaware $31,430Ohio $30,440Utah $30,170West Virginia $30,170Iowa $30,110Texas $29,300Kansas $29,040Alabama $29,000Oklahoma $28,490Arkansas $27,600Mississippi $27,250Louisiana $27,200
Working as a Food Server, Nonrestaurant in Tennessee
Nationally, about 294,000 people work as Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($30,670) 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 Server, Nonrestaurant make in Tennessee?
The median Food Server, Nonrestaurant salary in Tennessee is $30,670 per year, or about $14.75 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,620 at the entry level to $46,750 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Food Servers, Nonrestaurant about 13% less than the national median of $35,360. Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,670 a year. About 5,230 Food Servers, Nonrestaurant 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 Server, Nonrestaurant 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.