Food Preparation Worker Salary in Nashville, TN
Updated
The median food preparation worker in the Nashville area earns $34,640 a year ($16.65 an hour), 2% below the U.S. median ($35,320) and 21% above the Tennessee median ($28,700). Half of the 6,410 food preparation workers there earn between $28,270 and $39,000.
| Annual pay | Nashville area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $24,040 | $22,290 | $25,810 |
| 25th percentile | $28,270 | $24,350 | $29,950 |
| Median | $34,640 | $28,700 | $35,320 |
| 75th percentile | $39,000 | $35,820 | $38,550 |
| 90th percentile | $44,090 | $39,660 | $45,340 |
| Average | $34,380 | $30,860 | $35,290 |
| Jobs | 6,410 | 19,780 | 893,600 |
Nashville, TN ranks 30th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for food preparation worker pay. Highest: San Jose, CA ($45,580).
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Check my payFood preparation worker pay in other cities
- Memphis, TN: $27,290
- San Jose, CA: $45,580
- Seattle, WA: $43,830
- San Francisco, CA: $41,000
- Los Angeles, CA: $39,770
- Boston, MA: $39,660
- Denver, CO: $39,470
- San Diego, CA: $38,780
- All cities
Similar jobs in Nashville, TN
- Restaurant Cook: $38,170
- Fast Food Worker: $29,150
- Waiter: $29,390
- Food Service Supervisor: $45,630
- Bartender: $28,190
- All jobs in Nashville, TN
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.