How much does a chef and head cook make in Memphis?
$66,230a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $31.84 an hour or $5,519 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.84
- Vs. national median
- +6%
- Rank among cities
- 58 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 540
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,630Median: $66,230Highest 10%: $98,080
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,630 | $20.50 | |
| 25th | $50,230 | $24.15 | |
| Median | $66,230 | $31.84 | |
| 75th | $80,360 | $38.63 | |
| 90th | $98,080 | $47.15 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,690 |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,360 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,620 |
| Cook | $38,950 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,530 |
| Cook | $36,340 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $34,740 |
| Cook | $33,170 |
| Food Server | $31,080 |
| Cook | $29,880 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 |
| Bartender | $28,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $31.84 ($66,230 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Memphis than the national average?
Yes: $66,230 against $62,470 nationally, 6% more.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $69,810, so Memphis pays 5% less.
Where does Memphis rank for chef and head cook pay?
58 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,630 or less a year; the top 10% make $98,080 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.