SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — South Central Tennessee
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in South Central Tennessee, TN is $26,780 per year, 24.2% below the national median of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation Workers in South Central Tennessee, TN is $26,780 per year, 24.2% below the national median of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $23,110 and $29,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $21,670 and the ninetieth at $37,690.
Employment stands at 660, or 6.0 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $34,640. Of the 322 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 314th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,670 | −38.6% |
| 25th | $23,110 | −34.6% |
| Median (50th) | $26,780 | −24.2% |
| 75th | $29,430 | −16.7% |
| 90th | $37,690 | +6.7% |
| Mean | $27,700 | −21.6% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $34,640 | 6,410 | |
| 2 | Knoxville | $30,960 | 2,510 | |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $30,300 | 1,780 | |
| 4 | Kingsport | $28,020 | 930 | |
| 5 | Memphis | $27,290 | 3,530 | |
| 6 | Clarksville | $27,030 | 790 | |
| 7 | Morristown | $27,020 | 280 | |
| 8 | Jackson | $26,970 | 580 | |
| 9 | Johnson City | $26,850 | 800 | |
| 10 | Cleveland | $25,430 | 280 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $26,780 goes as far as $29,140 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$26,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,140US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $26,780 a year, 24.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $21,670 to $37,690 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 660 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $34,640.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in South Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $26,780, or $12.87 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 $35,320, so pay in South Central Tennessee, TN is 24.2% 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 South Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $37,690 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $21,670 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 $34,640 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 660 jobs in this occupation in South 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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