SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — East Tennessee
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in East Tennessee, TN is $33,040 per year, close to the national median of $35,840 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in East Tennessee, TN is $33,040 per year, close to the national median of $35,840 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $27,300 and $34,770. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,110 and the ninetieth at $40,400.
Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $40,370. Of the 340 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 298th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,110 | −41.1% |
| 25th | $27,300 | −23.8% |
| Median (50th) | $33,040 | −7.8% |
| 75th | $34,770 | −3.0% |
| 90th | $40,400 | +12.7% |
| Mean | $31,490 | −12.1% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $40,370 | 550 | |
| 2 | Memphis | $38,530 | 460 | |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $37,410 | 360 | |
| 4 | Clarksville | $36,660 | — | |
| 5 | Knoxville | $35,970 | 530 | |
| 6 | Kingsport | $35,280 | 90 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $33,040 goes as far as $35,952 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.3% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$33,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$35,952US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $33,040 a year, 7.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,110 to $40,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $40,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in East Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $33,040, or $15.89 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 $35,840, so pay in East Tennessee, TN is 7.8% 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 $40,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,110 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 $40,370 per year.
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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