Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in Tennessee
Food Servers, Nonrestaurants in Tennessee make a median of $29,050 a year, or about $13.97 an hour. The range runs from $18K at the entry level to $38K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $29K get you in Tennessee?
About food servers, nonrestaurants
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level food servers, nonrestaurants (10th percentile) start around $18K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $38K or more, a $20K spread from bottom to top.
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $31K | +8% | 1,900 |
| Memphis | $29K | -1% | 760 |
| Jackson | $29K | -1% | 100 |
| Knoxville | $28K | -2% | 610 |
| Chattanooga | $28K | -3% | 360 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $28K | -4% | 150 |
| Clarksville | $24K | -18% | 120 |
| Johnson City | $23K | -21% | 130 |
| Cleveland | $22K | -23% | 110 |
Compare to other states
Track food servers, nonrestaurant salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do food servers, nonrestaurants make in Tennessee?
The median is $29,050 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $17,500, and experienced food servers, nonrestaurants can clear $37,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,115/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 57.4% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a food servers, nonrestaurant salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median food servers, nonrestaurant salary is worth about $32,357 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do food servers, nonrestaurants get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.