Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $33,170 a year ($15.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,530 workers.
Pay ranges from $25,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,950 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $35,570. There are 2.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $34,410, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $25,170 | $12.10 |
| 25th percentile | $29,740 | $14.30 |
| Median | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| 75th percentile | $37,260 | $17.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,950 | $22.09 |
| Average (mean) | $34,410 | $16.54 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,764.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,382.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,275.77 |
| Weekly | $637.88 |
| Hourly | $15.95 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,910 | 2,880 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,570 | 470 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $35,210 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 | 970 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 | 510 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $33,430 | 1,290 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,410 | 940 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $32,720 | 240 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 | 150 |
| Hot Springs, AR | $32,140 | 180 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 | 440 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $30,480 | 1,400 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 | 130 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $29,380 | 560 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $29,080 | 810 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $27,620 | 140 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $27,600 | 360 |
| Jackson, MS | $26,980 | 1,190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,880 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, All Other | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,490 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,610 | $13.27 |
| Bartender | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $33,170 a year, or $15.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $25,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $45,950 a year. The top 25% earn $37,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $25,170 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $29,740 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 1,530 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.