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Food Preparation Workers Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$28,700
Median Annual Salary
▼
-1.0% vs 2024
$30,860
Mean Salary
$28,700
Median Salary
$13.80
Hourly Rate
19,780 people work as Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee
Food Preparation Workers salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee earn a median salary of $28,700 per year ($2,391/month).
This is 14.6% below the national average of $33,596.
Tennessee ranks #44 out of 51 states for Food Preparation Workers pay.
Approximately 19,780 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries decreased by 1.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Food Preparation Workers
Perform a variety of food preparation duties other than cooking, such as preparing cold foods and shellfish, slicing meat, and brewing coffee or tea.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Social Perceptiveness
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Customer and Personal Service
4.39
Administration and Management
3.19
Public Safety and Security
2.99
Food Production
2.93
English Language
2.91
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.6% of workers)
Salary Range: Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee range from $22,290 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $39,660 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $24,350 and $35,820.
Median $28,700
P10: $22,290P25: $24,350P75: $35,820P90: $39,660
10th
$22,290
25th
$24,350
Median
$28,700
75th
$35,820
90th
$39,660
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$22,290
$10.72
$1,857
25th Percentile
$24,350
$11.71
$2,029
Median (50th)
$28,700
$13.80
$2,391
75th Percentile
$35,820
$17.22
$2,985
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$39,660
$19.07
$3,305
Note: The mean (average) salary of $30,860 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Food Preparation Workers make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee is $28,700 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $30,860.
What is the salary range for a Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee?
Salaries for Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee range from $22,290 at the 10th percentile to $39,660 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $24,350 and $35,820.
What is the starting salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee?
Entry-level Food Preparation Workers positions in Tennessee typically start around $22,290 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $24,350 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 19,780 people are employed as Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee is approximately $13.80 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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