Food Preparation Workers Salary in Tennessee
Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $28,700 —18.7% below the national median of $35,320. That ranks TN #44 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (1.05×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $40,910 | $19.67 | 19,510 | 0.96 |
| 2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 | $19.04 | 3,970 | 0.98 |
| 3 | California | $39,350 | $18.92 | 112,750 | 1.08 |
| 4 | Colorado | $38,960 | $18.73 | 12,080 | 0.73 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 | $18.70 | 13,620 | 0.65 |
| 6 | Hawaii | $38,160 | $18.35 | 5,950 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Oregon | $37,450 | $18.00 | 11,860 | 1.05 |
| 8 | North Dakota | $36,800 | $17.69 | 980 | 0.40 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $36,780 | $17.68 | 3,420 | 0.87 |
| 10 | Arizona | $36,750 | $17.67 | 16,590 | 0.89 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $44,080 |
| Bartenders | $27,480 | $34,340 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $30,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do food preparation workers make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for food preparation workers in Tennessee is $28,700, or $13.80 per hour. That is 18.7% below the national median of $35,320.
What is the entry-level food preparation workers salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $22,290 per year ($10.71/hour). The 25th percentile is $24,350.
How many people work as food preparation workers in Tennessee?
About 19,780 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 6.0 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for food preparation workers?
Tennessee ranks #44 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (1.05x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays food preparation workers the most?
Washington has the highest median wage at $40,910 per year, followed by District of Columbia ($39,600) and California ($39,350).