Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in Tennessee
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in Tennessee earn a median of $30,670 a year ($14.75 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,230 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,750 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $35,360. Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for food servers, nonrestaurant pay. There are 1.6 food servers, nonrestaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $32,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food servers, nonrestaurant in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,620 | $10.88 |
| 25th percentile | $27,630 | $13.29 |
| Median | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| 75th percentile | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,750 | $22.47 |
| Average (mean) | $32,590 | $15.67 |
Half of food servers, nonrestaurant 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 | $2,555.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,277.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,179.62 |
| Weekly | $589.81 |
| Hourly | $14.75 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,670 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 Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $33,830 | 2,240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $31,080 | 820 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $30,740 | 350 |
| Cleveland, TN | $30,640 | 40 |
| Knoxville, TN | $29,100 | 620 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,430 | 140 |
| Jackson, TN | $27,950 | 100 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,510 | 120 |
| Johnson City, TN | $27,050 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for food servers, nonrestaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New York | $39,370 |
| California | $39,010 |
| Colorado | $38,900 |
| Washington | $38,870 |
| Alaska | $38,090 |
| District of Columbia | $37,920 |
| Hawaii | $37,920 |
| Maine | $37,680 |
| Vermont | $37,540 |
| North Dakota | $36,910 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3041. 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 servers, nonrestaurant make in Tennessee?
The median salary for food servers, nonrestaurant in Tennessee is $30,670 a year, or $14.75 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,750 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food servers, nonrestaurant make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of food servers, nonrestaurant in Tennessee earn at least $46,750 a year. The top 25% earn $36,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for food servers, nonrestaurant in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,620 a year, and a quarter of food servers, nonrestaurant earn $27,630 or less.
How many food servers, nonrestaurant work in Tennessee?
About 5,230 food servers, nonrestaurant are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.