Food Servers, Nonrestaurant Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $27,740 -19.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.34
10th percentile $16,750
90th percentile $39,900
Employed locally 470
National median $34,460

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Food Servers, Nonrestaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $16,750
    25th
    $20,800
    50th (median)
    $27,740
    75th
    $30,720
    90th
    $39,900

    Top-paying metros for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $57,540
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $45,030
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $44,710
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,200
    Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $42,600
    Ithaca, NY $40,230

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,400
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $37,130
    Food Preparation Workers $26,750
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers $28,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Servers, Nonrestaurant make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in East Tennessee is $13.34, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.77 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salaries?

    The median Food Servers, Nonrestaurant salary in East Tennessee is 19.5% below the national median of $34,460. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Servers, Nonrestaurant in East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Food Servers, Nonrestaurant (10th percentile) earn around $16,750 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,800.