Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn a median of $69,810 a year ($33.56 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,860 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $62,470. Tennessee ranks 10th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.2 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,710, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,410 | $21.83 |
| 25th percentile | $57,470 | $27.63 |
| Median | $69,810 | $33.56 |
| 75th percentile | $81,900 | $39.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,860 | $47.53 |
| Average (mean) | $70,710 | $34.00 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,908.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,685 |
| Weekly | $1,342.50 |
| Hourly | $33.56 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $70,420 | 1,780 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 | 60 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,230 | 540 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $63,690 | 280 |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 | 470 |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,180 | 30 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,290 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,880 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,360 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $36,640 | $17.61 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Tennessee?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Tennessee is $69,810 a year, or $33.56 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,410 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Tennessee earn at least $98,860 a year. The top 25% earn $81,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,410 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $57,470 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Tennessee?
About 3,820 chefs and head cooks are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.