Tennessee Median
$69,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$33.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+12% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#10 of 51
3,820 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Tennessee?
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee take home a median of $69,810 annually — roughly $33.56 an hour — which runs 12% above the national median of $62,470.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $45,410 while the top 10% make $98,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $57,470 and $81,900 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,410 | $21.83 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $57,470 | $27.63 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $69,810 | $33.56 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,900 | $39.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,860 | $47.53 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860New York $70,670Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440Colorado $65,400California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Alabama $62,400Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee
Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($69,810) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Tennessee?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Tennessee is $69,810 per year, or about $33.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,410 at the entry level to $98,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 12% more than the national median of $62,470. Tennessee ranks 10th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — Tennessee pays above the national median for this occupation, at $69,810 a year. About 3,820 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in Tennessee. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Tennessee?
The highest-paying occupations in Tennessee include Cardiologist ($610,080), Dermatologist ($433,630), Surgeon, All Other ($373,510), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.