Quick answer
Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee earned a median of $28,700 a year ($13.80 an hour) in May 2025, 19% below the national median of $35,320; 19,780 were employed there, ranking #45 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $28,700 | $35,320 |
| Mean annual wage | $30,860 | $35,290 |
| Median hourly wage | $13.80 | $16.98 |
| 10th percentile | $22,290 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $24,350 | $29,950 |
| 75th percentile | $35,820 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $39,660 | $45,340 |
| Employment | 19,780 | 893,600 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 6.031 | — |
| Location quotient | 1.05 | 1.00 |
Related
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- Food Preparation Workers salary in South Dakota (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Texas (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Utah (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Vermont (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Virgin Islands (May 2025)
- Food Preparation Workers salary in Virginia (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.