Food Service Manager salary in Knoxville, TN
Food Service Managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn a median of $63,940 a year ($30.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 610 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,510 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $69,390. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $64,410. There are 1.4 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $75,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Knoxville, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,950 | $23.05 |
| 25th percentile | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Median | $63,940 | $30.74 |
| 75th percentile | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $121,510 | $58.42 |
| Average (mean) | $75,010 | $36.06 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $5,328.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,664.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,459.23 |
| Weekly | $1,229.62 |
| Hourly | $30.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $63,940 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 Service Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $69,860 | 1,680 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $64,510 | 760 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $63,720 | 460 |
| Johnson City, TN | $62,960 | 120 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $61,550 | 130 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,450 | 50 |
| Jackson, TN | $61,380 | 80 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,630 | 120 |
| Cleveland, TN | $60,630 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
See Food Service Manager pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Knoxville, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $101,930 | $49.00 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $99,950 | — |
| Construction Manager | $101,910 | $48.99 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $162,950 | $78.34 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $63,890 | $30.72 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $88,240 | $42.43 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $127,720 | $61.41 |
| Lodging Manager | $62,700 | $30.14 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $79,950 | $38.44 |
| Emergency Management Director | $85,480 | $41.10 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $97,780 | $47.01 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Knoxville, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. 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 service manager make in Knoxville, TN?
The median salary for food service managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $63,940 a year, or $30.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $121,510 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Knoxville, TN?
The top 10% of food service managers in the Knoxville, TN metro area earn at least $121,510 a year. The top 25% earn $88,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Knoxville, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,950 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $57,010 or less.
How many food service managers work in Knoxville, TN?
About 610 food service managers are employed in the Knoxville, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.