Cooks, Fast Food salary in Jackson, TN
Cooks, Fast Food in the Jackson, TN metro area earn a median of $26,430 a year ($12.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 400 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,980 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,330. There are 4.7 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $26,170, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Jackson, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| 25th percentile | $21,600 | $10.38 |
| Median | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| 75th percentile | $28,420 | $13.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| Average (mean) | $26,170 | $12.58 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $2,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,101.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,016.54 |
| Weekly | $508.27 |
| Hourly | $12.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,210 | 4,840 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,580 | 2,120 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,310 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,230 | 2,270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,930 | 720 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $26,890 | 940 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,430 | 570 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,420 | 910 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Jackson, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,970 | $12.97 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,110 | $16.88 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $35,490 | $17.06 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,360 | $12.67 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $20,490 | $9.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,660 | $17.63 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $29,300 | $14.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $24,850 | $11.95 |
| Bartender | $22,030 | $10.59 |
| Dishwasher | $29,630 | $14.24 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,950 | $13.44 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,280 | $33.31 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Jackson, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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, fast food make in Jackson, TN?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Jackson, TN metro area is $26,430 a year, or $12.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Jackson, TN?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Jackson, TN metro area earn at least $33,980 a year. The top 25% earn $28,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Jackson, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,470 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $21,600 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Jackson, TN?
About 400 cooks, fast food are employed in the Jackson, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.