Tennessee Median
$35,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $37,450
State Rank
#39 of 51
10,680 employed here
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Tennessee?
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee take home a median of $35,570 annually — roughly $17.10 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $37,450.
Within Tennessee, entry-level pay starts around $27,830 while the top 10% make $45,430 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,150 and $38,860 a year.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary range in Tennessee
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,830 | $13.38 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,150 | $14.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,570 | $17.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $38,860 | $18.68 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,430 | $21.84 |
|
How Tennessee compares
Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other states
Washington $49,670Alaska $48,580Massachusetts $47,790Hawaii $47,770Rhode Island $46,570California $46,390Vermont $46,370Connecticut $46,120New York $45,880District of Columbia $45,450New Hampshire $45,370New Jersey $44,520Oregon $44,520Delaware $44,080Maine $43,490Minnesota $43,460Colorado $42,500Maryland $41,380Arizona $39,660North Dakota $39,490Nevada $39,430Wisconsin $38,650Utah $38,200Virginia $37,890Illinois $37,440Montana $37,150Wyoming $36,940Michigan $36,870South Dakota $36,730Ohio $36,720Pennsylvania $36,540New Mexico $36,470Nebraska $36,390Florida $36,250North Carolina $36,140Indiana $35,980Iowa $35,810Idaho $35,600Texas $35,360Georgia $35,090South Carolina $34,960Missouri $34,900Kansas $31,950Kentucky $31,550Arkansas $30,240West Virginia $29,740Oklahoma $29,270Mississippi $27,390Alabama $27,120Louisiana $25,490
Working as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee
Nationally, about 441,000 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Tennessee pay ($35,570) 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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Tennessee?
The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Tennessee is $35,570 per year, or about $17.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,830 at the entry level to $45,430 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Tennessee pay compare to the national average?
Tennessee pays Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria about 5% less than the national median of $37,450. Tennessee ranks 39th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Tennessee a good state for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $35,570 a year. About 10,680 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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.