Tennessee Median
$36,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $37,390
State Rank
#34 of 51
28,220 employed here
How much does a Cook, Restaurant make in Tennessee?
Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee take home a median of $36,420 annually — roughly $17.51 an hour — which runs 3% below the national median of $37,390.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,910 while the top 10% make $45,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,610 and $40,740 a year.
Cook, Restaurant salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,910 | $13.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,610 | $14.72 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $36,420 | $17.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $40,740 | $19.59 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories for Cook, Restaurant pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Restaurant salary in other states
Washington $46,800District of Columbia $46,130Massachusetts $45,600Hawaii $45,420Vermont $45,390Maine $45,290California $44,880New York $43,680Oregon $43,100Colorado $41,600New Hampshire $40,200Alaska $40,140Connecticut $39,480Arizona $38,670Nevada $38,610Minnesota $38,590New Jersey $38,460Montana $38,060Delaware $37,840Maryland $37,820Illinois $37,580Nebraska $37,030Florida $37,020Michigan $36,980Missouri $36,940Wyoming $36,830Virginia $36,750Pennsylvania $36,580Wisconsin $36,550Rhode Island $36,510Utah $36,490North Dakota $36,470Idaho $36,440South Dakota $36,220Georgia $35,940South Carolina $35,740Iowa $35,670Ohio $35,540North Carolina $35,400Indiana $35,170Kansas $35,130New Mexico $35,020Texas $34,760Kentucky $34,640Alabama $32,180Oklahoma $31,720Arkansas $30,180West Virginia $29,590Mississippi $29,560Louisiana $29,050
Working as a Cook, Restaurant in Tennessee
Nationally, about 1,410,000 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($36,420) 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, Restaurant make in Tennessee?
The median Cook, Restaurant salary in Tennessee is $36,420 per year, or about $17.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,910 at the entry level to $45,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Cooks, Restaurant about 3% less than the national median of $37,390. Tennessee ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Cooks, Restaurant?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $36,420 a year. About 28,220 Cooks, Restaurant 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, Restaurant 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.