How much does a cook make in Tennessee?
$30,210a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Tennessee. That is $14.52 an hour or $2,518 a month.
- Hourly
- $14.52
- Vs. national median
- -16%
- Rank among states
- 37 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 2,510
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $22,880Median: $30,210Highest 10%: $39,240
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $22,880 | $11.00 | |
| 25th | $26,780 | $12.88 | |
| Median | $30,210 | $14.52 | |
| 75th | $36,350 | $17.48 | |
| 90th | $39,240 | $18.87 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $37,830 |
| 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 |
| Cleveland, TN | $28,660 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 34. Virginia | $31,200 |
| 35. Nebraska | $30,530 |
| 36. Arkansas | $30,510 |
| 37. Tennessee | $30,210 |
| 38. South Carolina | $29,640 |
| 39. Ohio | $29,290 |
| 40. Mississippi | $28,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $14.52 ($30,210 a year).
Do cooks make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $30,210 against $35,880 nationally, 16% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for cook pay?
Tennessee ranks 37 of 49 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays cooks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $37,830 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.