Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Knoxville, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Knoxville, TN

Median annual salary $27,680 -9.2% vs national
Median hourly $13.31
10th percentile $22,550
90th percentile $35,260
Employed locally 11,200
National median $30,480

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
in
Knoxville, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $22,550
    25th
    $23,510
    50th (median)
    $27,680
    75th
    $33,220
    90th
    $35,260

    Knoxville economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $69,734 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fast Food and Counter Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,660
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $38,310
    Napa, CA $38,270
    District of Columbia $38,240
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,090

    Nearby metros — Fast Food and Counter Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $29,460
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $27,730
    Clarksville, TN-KY $27,270
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $27,160
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $26,840
    Morristown, TN $26,760

    Related occupations in Knoxville, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Waiters and Waitresses$28,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,620
    Cooks, Restaurant$35,630
    Food Preparation Workers$30,920
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,760
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$29,310

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in Knoxville?

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Knoxville, TN is $13.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.17 or more per hour.

    Is Knoxville above or below average for Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries?

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Knoxville, TN is 9.2% below the national median of $30,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Knoxville?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $22,550 per year in Knoxville, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $23,510.