How much does a chef and head cook make in Knoxville?
$62,770a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $30.18 an hour or $5,231 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.18
- Vs. national median
- +0%
- Rank among cities
- 100 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 470
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,670Median: $62,770Highest 10%: $99,050
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,670 | $20.51 | |
| 25th | $53,520 | $25.73 | |
| Median | $62,770 | $30.18 | |
| 75th | $77,600 | $37.31 | |
| 90th | $99,050 | $47.62 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 |
| Memphis, TN | $66,230 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,690 |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,360 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $41,380 |
| Cook | $36,520 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $35,970 |
| Cook | $35,150 |
| Cook | $35,120 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,960 |
| Cook | $30,210 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $30,080 |
| Dishwasher | $29,530 |
| Food Server | $29,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $30.18 ($62,770 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Knoxville than the national average?
Yes: $62,770 against $62,470 nationally, 0% more.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $69,810, so Knoxville pays 10% less.
Where does Knoxville rank for chef and head cook pay?
100 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,670 or less a year; the top 10% make $99,050 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.