How much does a cook make in Memphis?
$38,950a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area. That is $18.73 an hour or $3,246 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.73
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 25 of 63
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,050Median: $38,950Highest 10%: $38,950
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,050 | $15.89 | |
| 25th | $37,910 | $18.23 | |
| Median | $38,950 | $18.73 | |
| 75th | $38,950 | $18.73 | |
| 90th | $38,950 | $18.73 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Chattanooga, TN | $35,990 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,120 |
| Nashville, TN | $33,220 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 $18.73 ($38,950 a year).
Do cooks make more in Memphis than the national average?
Yes: $38,950 against $37,690 nationally, 3% more.
How does Memphis compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,440, so Memphis pays 7% more.
Where does Memphis rank for cook pay?
25 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,050 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,950 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.