SOC 35-9011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers — North Central Tennessee
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN is $29,430 a year, trailing the national median of $33,980 by 13.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN is $29,430 a year, trailing the national median of $33,980 by 13.4%. Half of workers earn between $21,650 and $31,370. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $19,130 and the ninetieth at $37,400.
The area has 270 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.4 of every thousand jobs. Memphis leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,740. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 304th of 318 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,130 | −43.7% |
| 25th | $21,650 | −36.3% |
| Median (50th) | $29,430 | −13.4% |
| 75th | $31,370 | −7.7% |
| 90th | $37,400 | +10.1% |
| Mean | $28,190 | −17.0% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Memphis | $34,740 | 2,070 | |
| 2 | Knoxville | $30,080 | 1,530 | |
| 3 | Nashville | $29,520 | 3,990 | |
| 4 | Morristown | $28,420 | 190 | |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $27,870 | 650 | |
| 6 | Kingsport | $26,620 | 250 | |
| 7 | Clarksville | $25,940 | 200 | |
| 8 | Jackson | $24,850 | 260 | |
| 9 | Cleveland | $24,240 | 350 | |
| 10 | Johnson City | $22,320 | 270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $29,430 goes as far as $32,024 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 5.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$29,430as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,024US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $29,430 a year, 13.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,130 to $37,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 270 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Memphis, at $34,740.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers in North Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $29,430, or $14.15 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $33,980, so pay in North Central Tennessee, TN is 13.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $37,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,130 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Memphis, at $34,740 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 270 jobs in this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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