SOC 35-3023 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Fast Food and Counter Workers — East Tennessee
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in East Tennessee, TN is $26,500 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 15.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in East Tennessee, TN is $26,500 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 15.1%. Half of workers earn between $23,020 and $28,390. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,500 and the ninetieth at $36,080.
The area has 4,930 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.41 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $29,150. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 336th of 340 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,500 | −31.1% |
| 25th | $23,020 | −26.2% |
| Median (50th) | $26,500 | −15.1% |
| 75th | $28,390 | −9.0% |
| 90th | $36,080 | +15.6% |
| Mean | $27,350 | −12.3% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $29,150 | 28,680 | |
| 2 | Knoxville | $27,720 | 12,730 | |
| 3 | Memphis | $27,490 | 15,320 | |
| 4 | Chattanooga | $27,140 | 7,770 | |
| 5 | Clarksville | $26,990 | 4,000 | |
| 6 | Kingsport | $26,890 | 4,170 | |
| 7 | Morristown | $26,530 | 1,590 | |
| 8 | Jackson | $26,360 | 2,370 | |
| 9 | Johnson City | $26,270 | 2,900 | |
| 10 | Cleveland | $26,140 | 1,830 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $26,500 goes as far as $28,836 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,500as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$28,836US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,500 a year, 15.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,500 to $36,080 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 4,930 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $29,150.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in East Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $26,500, or $12.74 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 $31,200, so pay in East Tennessee, TN is 15.1% 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 East Tennessee, TN earns more than $36,080 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,500 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 Nashville, at $29,150 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 4,930 jobs in this occupation in East 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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