Average Food Preparation Workers Salary in Clarksville, TN-KY
Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville, TN-KY earn an average annual salary of $27,170, which is notably below the national average of $33,810. This disparity is often influenced by local economic factors, industry demand, and the overall cost of labor within the region. Understanding these localized dynamics is crucial for assessing compensation in this role.
Executive Summary
- Average Salary: $27,170 per year.
- Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 29.3% ↗ over the last 5 years.
- Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,540.
- Outlook: With a total local workforce of 880 individuals in food preparation roles, Clarksville presents a significant concentration of these professionals. The Location Quotient of 1.51 indicates a higher-than-average presence of Food Preparation Workers relative to the national landscape, suggesting a robust local demand or a specialized industry presence that supports this workforce size.
Salary Overview
The average Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville, TN-KY earns-19.6%below the national average.
$13.1
$523
$2,264
Food Preparation Workers Salary Trends (2020-2024)
While specific historical data for this role in Clarksville is not provided, it is generally assumed that salaries for Food Preparation Workers have seen incremental growth over the past four years, mirroring broader economic trends. Factors such as inflation, increased demand for food services, and minimum wage adjustments typically contribute to a gradual upward trend in compensation for such positions.
Food Preparation Workers Salary Distribution in Clarksville, TN-KY
Career progression for Food Preparation Workers typically involves moving from entry-level positions to more senior or specialized roles, which are compensated at higher salary percentiles. The gap between starting wages and the average salary reflects the value placed on experience, skill development, and potentially supervisory responsibilities within the food preparation field.
| Experience Level | Market Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills. | 10% (Entry) | $21,110 | $10.1 |
| Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section. | 25% (Junior) | $20,378 | $9.8 |
| Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory. | 50% (Median) | $25,890 | $12.4 |
| Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management. | 75% (Senior) | $33,963 | $16.3 |
| Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations. | 90% (Expert) | $35,540 | $17.1 |
Detailed Food Preparation Workers Market Analysis
Relocation Context
Nominal Salary
$27,170
Gross Pay
Real Wage (Purchasing Power)
$27,170
Adjusted for COL (100)
The average annual salary of $27,170 in Clarksville, TN-KY aligns precisely with the national average cost of living, indicated by an index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that income is not significantly diminished by higher local expenses, offering a stable financial baseline.
Job Market Context
880
Total Jobs
8.679
Per 1K Jobs
1.51
Location Quotient
Clarksville, TN-KY has 1.5x the national concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs — a major employment hub for this role. Job seekers will find significantly more opportunities here than in most other areas.
A Location Quotient of 1.51 signifies that Food Preparation Workers are 51% more concentrated in Clarksville, TN-KY than the national average. This suggests a strong local market for these roles, potentially indicating higher demand or a greater number of establishments relying on this specific labor pool compared to other regions.
Nearby Job Markets
Nearby Cities for Food Preparation Workers
| City | Salary | Dist. |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Food Preparation Workers Salary | $32,940↑ 21% | 42 mi |
| Bowling Green, KY Food Preparation Workers Salary | $26,330↓ 3% | 57 mi |
| East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary | $28,710↑ 6% | 67 mi |
| South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary | $27,390↑ 1% | 67 mi |
| West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Food Preparation Workers Salary | $26,850↓ 1% | 67 mi |
Comparing salaries near Clarksville, TN-KY
Hiring Food Preparation Workerss?
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a Food Preparation Workers make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The median annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville, TN-KY is $27,170. This typically ranges from $21,110 for entry-level positions to $35,540 for top-level roles.
How does the salary compare to the national average?
The average salary for this role in Clarksville, TN-KY is 19.6% lower than the national median of $33,810.
Is Clarksville, TN-KY a lucrative place for Food Preparation Workerss?
No, but the cost of living is average.The average salary of $27,170 is below the national average, but the cost of living index is exactly at the national average, meaning your earnings will not be significantly impacted by high local expenses.
Is Clarksville, TN-KY a good place to live for Food Preparation Workers?
The Cost of Living Index in Clarksville, TN-KY is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.
Where are the highest paying cities near Clarksville, TN-KY?
Some top paying nearby cities include Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($32,940) and Bowling Green, KY.
How does the Clarksville salary compare to the national average?
Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville earn an average of $27,170 annually, which is $6,640 less than the national average of $33,810.
What is the concentration of Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville?
Clarksville has a higher concentration of Food Preparation Workers, with a Location Quotient of 1.51, indicating they are 51% more prevalent than the national average.
How does the cost of living affect the salary in Clarksville?
The cost of living in Clarksville is at the national average (index 100), meaning the $27,170 salary has average purchasing power relative to the rest of the country.
What is the total number of Food Preparation Workers in Clarksville?
There are approximately 880 Food Preparation Workers employed in the Clarksville, TN-KY area.
Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 880 employees in the Clarksville, TN-KY area with a job density of 8.679 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.
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Semantic Salary Analysis for Food Preparation Workers • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Clarksville, TN-KY