Food Preparation Worker salary in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Food Preparation Workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn a median of $28,020 a year ($13.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $23,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,040 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 7.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $28,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $23,330 | $11.22 |
| 25th percentile | $24,130 | $11.60 |
| Median | $28,020 | $13.47 |
| 75th percentile | $31,410 | $15.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $36,040 | $17.33 |
| Average (mean) | $28,670 | $13.79 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $2,335 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,167.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,077.69 |
| Weekly | $538.85 |
| Hourly | $13.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,020 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $37,630 | 14,810 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,640 | 6,410 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $34,210 | 400 |
| Richmond, VA | $33,650 | 2,890 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $32,580 | 3,120 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $32,210 | 180 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $32,150 | 240 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $31,620 | 230 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $31,200 | 320 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,960 | 2,510 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $30,800 | 490 |
| Roanoke, VA | $30,790 | 640 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 | 280 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 | 580 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 | 800 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,600 | $16.63 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,930 | $12.95 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,210 | $16.93 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,510 | $14.67 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,210 | $13.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,300 | $17.93 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Bartender | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Dishwasher | $28,500 | $13.70 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $26,620 | $12.80 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $28,430 | $13.67 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $55,360 | $26.62 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,280 | $16.96 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area is $28,020 a year, or $13.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $23,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $36,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area earn at least $36,040 a year. The top 25% earn $31,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $23,330 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $24,130 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA?
About 930 food preparation workers are employed in the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.