Skip to main content
County Paycheck

Food Preparation Workers Salary in Tennessee

What Food Preparation Workers earn in Tennessee, labor market by labor market, and what is left after taxes and living costs in 14 counties.

Average in TN
$30,087
local median wages, weighted
Rank among states
26 of 27
published states
Workers in state
21,140
BLS employment estimate
Wage areas
1
14 counties

Pay by labor market in Tennessee

Food Preparation Workers pay by wage area in Tennessee
Wage areaMedian wageTake-home payMargin per yearLargest county
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567Davidson County, TN

Counties ranked by what is left after the basics

Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee counties, by yearly margin
#CountyMedian wageTake-home payMargin per year
1Hickman County, TN$34,640$29,962$13,935
2Smith County, TN$34,640$29,962$12,855
3Macon County, TN$34,640$29,962$12,399
4Maury County, TN$34,640$29,962$7,407
5Davidson County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
6Rutherford County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
7Williamson County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
8Sumner County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
9Wilson County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
10Robertson County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
11Dickson County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
12Cheatham County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
13Cannon County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567
14Trousdale County, TN$34,640$29,962$3,567

Food Preparation Workers pay in Tennessee

The employment-weighted average of local median wages for Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee is $30,087, based on 21,140 workers. Among the 27 states with published data, that ranks number 26. The BLS national median for the occupation is $35,320, so Tennessee averages 14.8% below it.

Published data for Tennessee currently covers the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area, with a local median wage of $34,640.

Cost of living for Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee

We compare 14 Tennessee counties after federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics: a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline. Hickman County, TN leaves the largest yearly margin, $13,935. Trousdale County, TN leaves the smallest, $3,567. The median wage covers all four basics in 14 of the 14 counties.

Food Preparation Workers in other states

The states with the highest average local median wages for Food Preparation Workers are Washington ($40,765), California ($39,696), New Hampshire ($39,052) and Colorado ($38,955).

Frequently asked questions: Food Preparation Workers in Tennessee

How much do Food Preparation Workers earn in Tennessee?

The employment-weighted average of local median wages is $30,087.

Which Tennessee county is best for Food Preparation Workers?

Hickman County, TN leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes and the four basics ($13,935). Smith County, TN follows at $12,855.