SOC 35-9031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — Tennessee
Tennessee · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Tennessee is $27,490 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 11.9%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Tennessee is $27,490 a year, trailing the national median of $31,200 by 11.9%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $22,310 and $30,180. The lowest tenth earn under $20,180, while the highest tenth earn more than $35,770.
The area has 11,280 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.4 of every thousand jobs. Tennessee ranks number 39th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Jackson records the highest median at $29,300. Of the 730 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 722nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,180 | −35.3% |
| 25th | $22,310 | −28.5% |
| Median (50th) | $27,490 | −11.9% |
| 75th | $30,180 | −3.3% |
| 90th | $35,770 | +14.6% |
| Mean | $27,690 | −11.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $29,300 | 280 | |
| 2 | Nashville | $28,800 | 4,110 | |
| 3 | Chattanooga | $27,750 | 1,060 | |
| 4 | Memphis | $27,610 | 1,670 | |
| 5 | Clarksville | $27,590 | 400 | |
| 6 | Kingsport | $27,250 | 310 | |
| 7 | Knoxville | $27,250 | 1,600 | |
| 8 | Cleveland | $26,130 | 140 | |
| 9 | Morristown | $23,600 | 130 | |
| 10 | Johnson City | $23,360 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $27,490 goes as far as $29,913 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$27,490as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$29,913US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $27,490 a year, 11.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $20,180 to $35,770 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 11,280 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 39th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Jackson, at $29,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop in Tennessee?
The median annual wage is $27,490, or $13.22 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 Tennessee is 11.9% 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 Tennessee earns more than $35,770 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $20,180 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 Jackson, at $29,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 11,280 jobs in this occupation in Tennessee. 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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