How much does a cook make in Tennessee?
$36,420a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Tennessee. That is $17.51 an hour or $3,035 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.51
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among states
- 34 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 28,220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,910Median: $36,420Highest 10%: $45,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,910 | $13.42 | |
| 25th | $30,610 | $14.72 | |
| Median | $36,420 | $17.51 | |
| 75th | $40,740 | $19.59 | |
| 90th | $45,650 | $21.95 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $38,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,520 |
| 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 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 31. Utah | $36,490 |
| 32. North Dakota | $36,470 |
| 33. Idaho | $36,440 |
| 34. Tennessee | $36,420 |
| 35. South Dakota | $36,220 |
| 36. Georgia | $35,940 |
| 37. South Carolina | $35,740 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $17.51 ($36,420 a year).
Do cooks make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $36,420 against $37,390 nationally, 3% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for cook pay?
Tennessee ranks 34 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays cooks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $38,170 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.