How much does a cook make in Knoxville?
$36,520a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Knoxville, TN metro area. That is $17.56 an hour or $3,043 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.56
- Vs. national median
- -2%
- Rank among cities
- 163 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 3,820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,860Median: $36,520Highest 10%: $45,220
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,860 | $13.39 | |
| 25th | $30,630 | $14.73 | |
| Median | $36,520 | $17.56 | |
| 75th | $38,560 | $18.54 | |
| 90th | $45,220 | $21.74 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $38,170 |
| Memphis, TN | $36,340 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $36,010 |
| Morristown, TN | $35,670 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,490 |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,030 |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,840 |
| Johnson City, TN | $34,620 |
| Kingsport, TN | $34,600 |
Related jobs in Knoxville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $62,770 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $41,380 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Knoxville?
The median hourly pay in the Knoxville, TN metro area is $17.56 ($36,520 a year).
Do cooks make more in Knoxville than the national average?
No: $36,520 against $37,390 nationally, 2% less.
How does Knoxville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,420, so Knoxville pays 0% more.
Where does Knoxville rank for cook pay?
163 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Knoxville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,860 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,220 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.