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Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

In the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $30,100 ($14.47/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,400/year and the 90th was $41,600/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Tennessee tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $26,365 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 96.3 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$30,100$14.47 per hour · $2,508 monthly
10th Percentile$23,400$11.25/hr base
25th Percentile$25,500$12.26/hr base
75th Percentile$37,600$18.08/hr base
90th Percentile$41,600$20.00/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $30,000 a year leaves after tax in TennesseeFederal tax, FICA and Tennessee withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$14 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $30,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $30,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Tennessee publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Tennessee.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$30,100
$15,000$65,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$30,100
Net 88%
Fed 5%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$26,365After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,197Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,014Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate12.4%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,432 / yr
Tennessee state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,303 / yr
Customize deductions in full Tennessee calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (TN)
10th Percentile$11.25/hr$1,950$23,400$20,880
25th Percentile$12.26/hr$2,125$25,500$22,609
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$14.47/hr$2,508$30,100$26,365
75th Percentile$18.08/hr$3,133$37,600$32,392
90th Percentile$20.00/hr$3,467$41,600$35,606

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$30,100 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$85,447Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index96.33.7% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.2%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Tennessee:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Tennessee metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $30,100, which equates to approximately $2,508 per month or $14.47 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $14.47 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.25/hour and one in ten earned more than $20.00/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN span from $23,400 at the 10th percentile to $25,500 at the 25th, $37,600 at the 75th, and $41,600 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

On a median gross salary of $30,100, an estimated $26,365 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,014 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Tennessee in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $3,735 (an effective rate of 12.4%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

On the median annual salary of $30,100, gross monthly income is $2,508. After federal, FICA, and Tennessee state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,197 per month (or $1,014 every two weeks).

Is $30,100 a good salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

At $30,100, the median salary for food preparation workers is 35.2% of the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN median household income ($85,447). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 96.3, making regional consumer goods and services 3.7% cheaper than the U.S. average.