Best cities for a caterer
The best cities for caterers are Nashville, TN, Memphis, TN, and Indianapolis, IN, based on factors like average salary and job availability per capita. Jobs and pay for caterers vary across the country, but we've determined the ten best cities for caterers in the U.S.
Whether you're starting your career as a caterer or considering a move, this list of the best cities for caterers to live in will help you decide. These aren't just the best-paying cities for caterers. We also consider how easy it is to find work as a caterer. While the absolute best city for caterers is Nashville, TN, there are plenty of other great places to consider.
Keep reading to learn more about the best cities for caterers in 2024.
If you're looking for a caterer job, here are five companies hiring now:
10 best cities for caterers in 2026
1. Nashville, TN
Total caterer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $25,978 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Location quotient: 5.06 2. Memphis, TN
Total caterer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $25,948 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Location quotient: 0.00 3. Indianapolis, IN
Total caterer jobs: 5 Average annual salary: $25,885 Lowest 10 percent warn: $19,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $33,000 Location quotient: 3.37 4. Brookhaven, NY
Total caterer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,489 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 0.00 5. Philadelphia, PA
Total caterer jobs: 4 Average annual salary: $28,020 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $36,000 Location quotient: 2.20 6. Buffalo, NY
Total caterer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,453 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 0.00 7. Seattle, WA
Total caterer jobs: 2 Average annual salary: $34,430 Lowest 10 percent warn: $27,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $42,000 Location quotient: 0.63 8. Islip, NY
Total caterer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,353 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 0.00 9. Lincoln, NE
Total caterer jobs: 1 Average annual salary: $27,942 Lowest 10 percent warn: $21,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $36,000 Location quotient: 2.41 10. Oyster Bay, NY
Total caterer jobs: 0 Average annual salary: $38,340 Lowest 10 percent warn: $29,000 Highest 10 percent earn: $49,000 Location quotient: 0.00
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Best cities for caterers
- Nashville, TN
- Memphis, TN
- Indianapolis, IN
- Brookhaven, NY
- Philadelphia, PA
- Buffalo, NY
- Seattle, WA
- Islip, NY
- Lincoln, NE
- Oyster Bay, NY
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Detailed list of the best cities for a caterer
| Rank | City | Average salary | Lowest 10% Earn | Population | Job count |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville, TN | $25,978 | $19,000 | 660,388 | 5 |
| 2 | Memphis, TN | $25,948 | $19,000 | 652,717 | - |
| 3 | Indianapolis, IN | $25,885 | $19,000 | 855,164 | 5 |
| 4 | Brookhaven, NY | $38,489 | $29,000 | 486,040 | - |
| 5 | Philadelphia, PA | $28,020 | $21,000 | 1,567,872 | 4 |
| 6 | Buffalo, NY | $38,453 | $29,000 | 256,902 | - |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $34,430 | $27,000 | 704,352 | 2 |
| 8 | Islip, NY | $38,353 | $29,000 | 335,543 | - |
| 9 | Lincoln, NE | $27,942 | $21,000 | 280,364 | 1 |
| 10 | Oyster Bay, NY | $38,340 | $29,000 | 293,214 | - |
| 11 | Wichita, KS | $25,880 | $19,000 | 389,902 | 3 |
| 12 | Hempstead, NY | $38,210 | $29,000 | 759,757 | - |
| 13 | New York, NY | $38,160 | $29,000 | 8,537,673 | 2 |
| 14 | Minneapolis, MN | $31,615 | $24,000 | 413,651 | - |
| 15 | Pittsburgh, PA | $27,447 | $21,000 | 303,625 | 2 |
| 16 | Cincinnati, OH | $25,823 | $19,000 | 298,800 | - |
| 17 | Saint Paul, MN | $31,612 | $24,000 | 302,398 | - |
| 18 | Cleveland, OH | $26,808 | $20,000 | 385,809 | - |
| 19 | Toledo, OH | $26,669 | $20,000 | 278,508 | - |
| 20 | Detroit, MI | $29,666 | $22,000 | 672,795 | - |
| 21 | Boston, MA | $33,854 | $26,000 | 673,184 | - |
| 22 | Reno, NV | $29,144 | $23,000 | 245,255 | - |
| 23 | Omaha, NE | $27,945 | $21,000 | 446,970 | - |
| 24 | Norfolk, VA | $31,744 | $24,000 | 245,115 | - |
| 25 | Virginia Beach, VA | $31,740 | $24,000 | 452,602 | - |
| 26 | Louisville, KY | $24,863 | $19,000 | 597,337 | 2 |
| 27 | Chesapeake, VA | $31,640 | $24,000 | 237,940 | - |
| 28 | Las Vegas, NV | $28,053 | $21,000 | 632,912 | - |
| 29 | North Las Vegas, NV | $28,029 | $21,000 | 238,702 | - |
| 30 | Plano, TX | $25,876 | $19,000 | 286,057 | 4 |
| 31 | Dallas, TX | $25,845 | $19,000 | 1,317,929 | 8 |
| 32 | Colorado Springs, CO | $31,075 | $24,000 | 465,101 | 1 |
| 33 | Henderson, NV | $27,976 | $21,000 | 292,969 | - |
| 34 | Columbus, OH | $26,101 | $20,000 | 860,090 | - |
| 35 | San Francisco, CA | $34,640 | $27,000 | 870,887 | - |
| 36 | Denver, CO | $31,127 | $24,000 | 693,060 | - |
| 37 | Aurora, CO | $31,112 | $24,000 | 361,710 | - |
| 38 | Oakland, CA | $34,596 | $27,000 | 420,005 | - |
| 39 | Oklahoma City, OK | $25,450 | $19,000 | 638,367 | - |
| 40 | Austin, TX | $25,536 | $19,000 | 947,890 | 6 |
| 41 | Milwaukee, WI | $24,507 | $19,000 | 595,047 | 2 |
| 42 | Fremont, CA | $34,517 | $27,000 | 233,136 | - |
| 43 | Fort Wayne, IN | $26,290 | $20,000 | 264,488 | - |
| 44 | Gilbert, AZ | $25,446 | $19,000 | 237,133 | 1 |
| 45 | Sacramento, CA | $34,516 | $27,000 | 495,234 | - |
| 46 | Tulsa, OK | $25,414 | $19,000 | 403,090 | - |
| 47 | San Jose, CA | $34,467 | $27,000 | 1,025,350 | - |
| 48 | Stockton, CA | $34,440 | $27,000 | 307,072 | - |
| 49 | Winston-Salem, NC | $26,893 | $20,000 | 242,203 | - |
| 50 | Lexington, KY | $24,847 | $19,000 | 318,449 | - |
Highest paying cities for caterers
| Rank | City | Avg. caterer salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beverly, MA | $33,897 |
| 2 | Bristol, CT | $33,655 |
| 3 | Burbank, CA | $33,243 |
| 4 | Arlington, VA | $32,682 |
| 5 | Duluth, MN | $32,414 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $31,191 |
| 7 | Fargo, ND | $29,218 |
| 8 | Allentown, PA | $28,309 |
| 9 | Bellevue, NE | $27,927 |
| 10 | Concord, NC | $26,651 |
| 11 | Chicago, IL | $26,392 |
| 12 | Abilene, TX | $26,210 |
| 13 | Columbus, OH | $26,101 |
| 14 | West Lafayette, IN | $25,998 |
| 15 | Lenexa, KS | $25,804 |
| 16 | Knoxville, TN | $25,773 |
| 17 | Phoenix, AZ | $25,533 |
| 18 | Tampa, FL | $25,373 |
| 19 | Georgetown, KY | $24,884 |
| 20 | Milwaukee, WI | $24,507 |
Caterer best cities FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025