How much does a cook make in Memphis?
$33,170a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $15.95 an hour or $2,764 a month.
- Hourly
- $15.95
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 314 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 1,530
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $25,170Median: $33,170Highest 10%: $45,950
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,170 | $12.10 | |
| 25th | $29,740 | $14.30 | |
| Median | $33,170 | $15.95 | |
| 75th | $37,260 | $17.91 | |
| 90th | $45,950 | $22.09 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $37,910 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,570 |
| Kingsport, TN | $35,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $33,410 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 |
Related jobs in Memphis
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,230 |
| 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 |
| Food Server | $31,080 |
| Cook | $29,880 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 |
| Bartender | $28,710 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $15.95 ($33,170 a year).
Do cooks make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $33,170 against $37,450 nationally, 11% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $35,570, so Memphis pays 7% less.
Where does Memphis rank for cook pay?
314 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,170 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,950 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.