How much does a cook make in Nashville?
$37,830a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area. That is $18.19 an hour or $3,153 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.19
- Vs. national median
- +5%
- Rank among cities
- 46 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 600
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $25,760Median: $37,830Highest 10%: $44,060
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $25,760 | $12.38 | |
| 25th | $31,300 | $15.05 | |
| Median | $37,830 | $18.19 | |
| 75th | $39,260 | $18.88 | |
| 90th | $44,060 | $21.18 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Kingsport, TN | $30,510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,210 |
| Clarksville, TN | $30,170 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $29,950 |
| Memphis, TN | $29,880 |
| Johnson City, TN | $29,460 |
Related jobs in Nashville
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $70,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $45,630 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $40,370 |
| Cook | $38,170 |
| Cook | $37,910 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,640 |
| Dishwasher | $34,380 |
| Cook | $34,210 |
| Food Server | $33,830 |
| Cook | $33,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Nashville?
The median hourly pay in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $18.19 ($37,830 a year).
Do cooks make more in Nashville than the national average?
Yes: $37,830 against $35,880 nationally, 5% more.
How does Nashville compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $30,210, so Nashville pays 25% more.
Where does Nashville rank for cook pay?
46 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Nashville?
The lowest-paid 10% make $25,760 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,060 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.