Tennessee Median
$28,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $30,890
State Rank
#38 of 51
14,020 employed here
How much does a Cook, Fast Food make in Tennessee?
A Cook, Fast Food working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $28,330 per year, or about $13.62 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $30,890 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $20,380 while the top 10% make $38,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $24,550 and $34,780 a year.
Cook, Fast Food salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,380 | $9.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $24,550 | $11.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,330 | $13.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $34,780 | $16.72 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,330 | $18.43 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Fast Food pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Fast Food salary in other states
Hawaii $48,120District of Columbia $44,670California $42,050Washington $39,120New Hampshire $38,590Vermont $38,230Oregon $37,880Massachusetts $37,870Colorado $36,900Maine $36,350New York $35,770Rhode Island $35,230Connecticut $34,980Illinois $34,960Minnesota $34,120Alaska $33,960Nevada $33,840Maryland $33,320Arizona $32,660New Jersey $32,220Delaware $31,840Utah $31,800Idaho $31,070South Dakota $30,950Nebraska $30,430North Dakota $30,220New Mexico $30,190Virginia $29,950Florida $29,900Missouri $29,890Indiana $29,870Michigan $29,460Wyoming $28,950Wisconsin $28,920Pennsylvania $28,810Kansas $28,640Iowa $28,510Texas $28,280Alabama $27,870Oklahoma $27,720Arkansas $27,710South Carolina $27,420North Carolina $27,190Georgia $26,940Ohio $26,870Montana $26,770Louisiana $24,960Kentucky $23,500West Virginia $23,120Mississippi $22,670
Working as a Cook, Fast Food in Tennessee
Nationally, about 641,000 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($28,330) 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, Fast Food make in Tennessee?
The median Cook, Fast Food salary in Tennessee is $28,330 per year, or about $13.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $20,380 at the entry level to $38,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Cooks, Fast Food about 8% less than the national median of $30,890. Tennessee ranks 38th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Cooks, Fast Food?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $28,330 a year. About 14,020 Cooks, Fast Food 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, Fast Food 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.