Tennessee Median
$30,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$14.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#37 of 49
2,510 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Tennessee?
A Cook, Short Order working in Tennessee earns a median salary of $30,210 per year, or about $14.52 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $35,880 for this occupation.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $22,880 while the top 10% make $39,240 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $26,780 and $36,350 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,880 | $11.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $26,780 | $12.88 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $30,210 | $14.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,350 | $17.48 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,240 | $18.87 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110California $42,930Washington $42,760Colorado $42,450Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780Illinois $37,440New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840North Carolina $31,290Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Arkansas $30,510South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in Tennessee
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($30,210) 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, Short Order make in Tennessee?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Tennessee is $30,210 per year, or about $14.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $22,880 at the entry level to $39,240 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Cooks, Short Order about 16% less than the national median of $35,880. Tennessee ranks 37th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $30,210 a year. About 2,510 Cooks, Short Order 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, Short Order 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.