How much does a chef and head cook make in Tennessee?
$69,810a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in Tennessee. That is $33.56 an hour or $5,818 a month.
- Hourly
- $33.56
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among states
- 10 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 3,820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,410Median: $69,810Highest 10%: $98,860
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,410 | $21.83 | |
| 25th | $57,470 | $27.63 | |
| Median | $69,810 | $33.56 | |
| 75th | $81,900 | $39.38 | |
| 90th | $98,860 | $47.53 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 |
| Memphis, TN | $66,230 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $63,690 |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,180 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,290 |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,360 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chef and head cooks.
| 7. Wyoming | $73,170 |
| 8. South Carolina | $71,860 |
| 9. New York | $70,670 |
| 10. Tennessee | $69,810 |
| 11. Massachusetts | $69,540 |
| 12. Georgia | $66,230 |
| 13. Vermont | $65,440 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $33.56 ($69,810 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Tennessee than the national average?
Yes: $69,810 against $62,470 nationally, 12% more.
Where does Tennessee rank for chef and head cook pay?
Tennessee ranks 10 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays chef and head cooks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $70,420 a year.
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.