Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $29,150 a year ($14.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 28,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,200 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 6% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $27,470. There are 26 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,280 | $10.71 |
| 25th percentile | $26,790 | $12.88 |
| Median | $29,150 | $14.02 |
| 75th percentile | $31,560 | $15.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| Average (mean) | $29,430 | $14.15 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,429.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,214.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,121.15 |
| Weekly | $560.58 |
| Hourly | $14.02 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $29,150 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Knoxville, TN | $27,720 | 12,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,490 | 15,320 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $27,140 | 7,770 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,890 | 4,170 |
| Morristown, TN | $26,530 | 1,590 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,360 | 2,370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,270 | 2,900 |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,140 | 1,830 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| Bartender | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,830 | $16.27 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dishwasher | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $70,420 | $33.86 |
| Cooks, All Other | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,830 | $18.19 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $29,150 a year, or $14.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $36,200 a year. The top 25% earn $31,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,280 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $26,790 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 28,680 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.