How much does a cook make in Tennessee?
$35,570a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Tennessee. That is $17.10 an hour or $2,964 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.10
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among states
- 39 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 10,680
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,830Median: $35,570Highest 10%: $45,430
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,830 | $13.38 | |
| 25th | $30,150 | $14.50 | |
| Median | $35,570 | $17.10 | |
| 75th | $38,860 | $18.68 | |
| 90th | $45,430 | $21.84 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $37,910 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,570 |
| Kingsport, TN | $35,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $33,410 |
| Memphis, TN | $33,170 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 36. Indiana | $35,980 |
| 37. Iowa | $35,810 |
| 38. Idaho | $35,600 |
| 39. Tennessee | $35,570 |
| 40. Texas | $35,360 |
| 41. Georgia | $35,090 |
| 42. South Carolina | $34,960 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $17.10 ($35,570 a year).
Do cooks make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $35,570 against $37,450 nationally, 5% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for cook pay?
Tennessee ranks 39 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays cooks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $37,910 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.