Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$21,850
- 25th Percentile — Junior$23,490
- 50th Percentile — Median$27,470
- 75th Percentile — Senior$29,530
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$35,060
Half of Fast Food and Counter Workers in Tennessee earn more than $27,470. The top 10% make $35,060 or more, while entry-level workers start around $21,850.
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay, at $27,870 per year (13.3% below the U.S. average of $32,150).
- 90,690 people work as Fast Food and Counter Workers in Tennessee — 2.4% of all U.S. Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.12: Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $21,850; the top 10% earn over $35,060.
- Hourly equivalent: $13.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is California at $41,680.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,710).
Fast Food and Counter Workers Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Fast Food and Counter Workers here earn $27,870 on average, placing the state 39th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $27,870 is roughly equivalent to $31,670 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($28,940), Pennsylvania ($28,930), Ohio ($28,900) are the closest alternatives for Fast Food and Counter Workers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,710/yr Tennessee +153.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee +60.5% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee +31.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Tennessee +26.5% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,180/yr Tennessee +11.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee +6.5% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,480/yr Tennessee +5.8% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,070/yr Tennessee +4.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Tennessee?
The average Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Tennessee is $27,870 per year (median $27,470), which is 13.3% below the national average of $32,150.
How does Tennessee rank for Fast Food and Counter Workers pay?
Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($41,680/yr).
How much do entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Fast Food and Counter Workers in Tennessee earn about $21,850 per year and the 25th percentile is $23,490.
How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in Tennessee?
About $13.4 per hour, based on the $27,870 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Fast Food and Counter Workers work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 90,690 Fast Food and Counter Workers jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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