Tennessee Median
$36,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $37,690
State Rank
#21 of 33
2,060 employed here
How much does a Cook, All Other make in Tennessee?
Cooks, All Other in Tennessee take home a median of $36,440 annually — roughly $17.52 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $37,690.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,030 while the top 10% make $38,950 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $29,120 and $38,950 a year.
Cook, All Other salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,030 | $10.59 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,440 | $17.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,950 | $18.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,950 | $18.73 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 21st out of 33 states and territories for Cook, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, All Other salary in other states
Massachusetts $69,570Washington $52,510Nevada $51,220New Jersey $46,080Indiana $44,290North Dakota $44,190Missouri $43,990Colorado $43,490New York $43,000Georgia $42,960California $42,860Montana $42,640Oregon $42,020Arizona $41,740Vermont $41,250Hawaii $39,870Florida $39,520Connecticut $37,190Michigan $37,110Minnesota $36,850Pennsylvania $36,220Illinois $35,940Virginia $35,810Ohio $35,360Wisconsin $33,760Mississippi $33,410Maryland $32,150Texas $32,150North Carolina $31,120Arkansas $30,780Louisiana $28,930Iowa $26,060
Working as a Cook, All Other in Tennessee
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Cooks, All Other in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($36,440) 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 does a Cook, All Other make in Tennessee?
The median Cook, All Other salary in Tennessee is $36,440 per year, or about $17.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,030 at the entry level to $38,950 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Cooks, All Other about 3% less than the national median of $37,690. Tennessee ranks 21st out of 33 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Cooks, All Other?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,440 a year. About 2,060 Cooks, All Other are employed in Tennessee. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
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 Cook, All Other 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.