Food Preparation Worker salary in Knoxville, TN
Food Preparation Workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $30,960 a year ($14.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,510 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,060 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 8% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 5.9 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $31,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,480 | $10.81 |
| 25th percentile | $25,670 | $12.34 |
| Median | $30,960 | $14.89 |
| 75th percentile | $35,400 | $17.02 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| Average (mean) | $31,220 | $15.01 |
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 | $2,580 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,290 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,190.77 |
| Weekly | $595.38 |
| Hourly | $14.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,960 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,640 | 6,410 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,300 | 1,780 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,020 | 930 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,580 | $13.26 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,150 | $16.90 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,120 | $16.88 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,720 | $13.33 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $28,100 | $13.51 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,250 | $13.10 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Bartender | $28,860 | $13.87 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 | $14.20 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,100 | $13.99 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,970 | $17.29 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
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 Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $30,960 a year, or $14.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $39,060 a year. The top 25% earn $35,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,480 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $25,670 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 2,510 food preparation workers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.