How much does a cook make in Memphis?
$29,880a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $14.37 an hour or $2,490 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.37
- Vs. national median
- -17%
- Rank among cities
- 155 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 590
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $24,240Median: $29,880Highest 10%: $37,460
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $24,240 | $11.65 | |
| 25th | $27,920 | $13.42 | |
| Median | $29,880 | $14.37 | |
| 75th | $34,680 | $16.67 | |
| 90th | $37,460 | $18.01 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $37,830 |
| Kingsport, TN | $30,510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,210 |
| Clarksville, TN | $30,170 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $29,950 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,460 |
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 |
| Cook | $33,170 |
| Food Server | $31,080 |
| 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 $14.37 ($29,880 a year).
Do cooks make more in Memphis than the national average?
No: $29,880 against $35,880 nationally, 17% less.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $30,210, so Memphis pays 1% less.
Where does Memphis rank for cook pay?
155 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $24,240 or less a year; the top 10% make $37,460 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.