How much does a cook make in Memphis?
$36,340a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $17.47 an hour or $3,028 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.47
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 177 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 4,800
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,030Median: $36,340Highest 10%: $44,560
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,030 | $13.00 | |
| 25th | $30,460 | $14.64 | |
| Median | $36,340 | $17.47 | |
| 75th | $38,930 | $18.72 | |
| 90th | $44,560 | $21.42 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $38,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,520 |
| 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 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 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Memphis?
The median hourly pay in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $17.47 ($36,340 a year).
Do cooks make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $36,340 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,420, so Memphis pays 0% more.
Where does Memphis rank for cook pay?
177 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,030 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,560 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.