Cooks, All Other salary in Tennessee
Cooks, All Other in Tennessee earn a median of $36,440 a year ($17.52 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,950 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,690. Tennessee ranks 21st of 33 states for cooks, all other pay. There are 0.63 cooks, all other per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 5.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,970, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, all other in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| 25th percentile | $29,120 | $14.00 |
| Median | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| 75th percentile | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Average (mean) | $33,970 | $16.33 |
Half of cooks, all other 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 | $3,036.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,518.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,401.54 |
| Weekly | $700.77 |
| Hourly | $17.52 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, All Other salary in cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $38,950 | n/a |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $35,990 | 110 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,120 | 180 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $34,820 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $33,220 | 700 |
| Cleveland, TN | $20,420 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $69,570 |
| Washington | $52,510 |
| Nevada | $51,220 |
| New Jersey | $46,080 |
| Indiana | $44,290 |
| North Dakota | $44,190 |
| Missouri | $43,990 |
| Colorado | $43,490 |
| New York | $43,000 |
| Georgia | $42,960 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
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 35-2019. 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 cooks, all other make in Tennessee?
The median salary for cooks, all other in Tennessee is $36,440 a year, or $17.52 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, all other make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of cooks, all other in Tennessee earn at least $38,950 a year. The top 25% earn $38,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, all other in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,030 a year, and a quarter of cooks, all other earn $29,120 or less.
How many cooks, all other work in Tennessee?
About 2,060 cooks, all other are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.