Food Preparation Workers Salary in Kingsport, TN-VA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA

Median annual salary $28,030 -18.1% vs national
Median hourly $13.48
10th percentile $23,260
90th percentile $36,590
Employed locally 770
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Kingsport, TN-VA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,260
    25th
    $25,880
    50th (median)
    $28,030
    75th
    $33,020
    90th
    $36,590

    Kingsport economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.60% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $55,948 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 50% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 50% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $32,770
    Knoxville, TN $30,920
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $27,430
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $27,360
    Morristown, TN $26,100
    Jackson, TN $25,950

    Related occupations in Kingsport, TN-VA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,840
    Waiters and Waitresses $28,100
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,670
    Cooks, Restaurant $33,930
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,290
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Kingsport?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Kingsport, TN-VA is $13.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.33 or more per hour.

    Is Kingsport above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Kingsport, TN-VA is 18.1% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Kingsport?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,260 per year in Kingsport, TN-VA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,880.