How much does a cook make in Tennessee?
$28,330a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in Tennessee. That is $13.62 an hour or $2,361 a month.
- Hourly
- $13.62
- Vs. national median
- -8%
- Rank among states
- 38 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 14,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $20,380Median: $28,330Highest 10%: $38,330
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $20,380 | $9.80 | |
| 25th | $24,550 | $11.80 | |
| Median | $28,330 | $13.62 | |
| 75th | $34,780 | $16.72 | |
| 90th | $38,330 | $18.43 |
Cities in Tennessee
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Nashville, TN | $34,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,580 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,310 |
| Memphis, TN | $27,230 |
| Kingsport, TN | $26,930 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $26,890 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,430 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,430 |
| Clarksville, TN | $26,420 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for cooks.
| 35. Pennsylvania | $28,810 |
| 36. Kansas | $28,640 |
| 37. Iowa | $28,510 |
| 38. Tennessee | $28,330 |
| 39. Texas | $28,280 |
| 40. Alabama | $27,870 |
| 41. Oklahoma | $27,720 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Tennessee?
The median hourly pay in Tennessee is $13.62 ($28,330 a year).
Do cooks make more in Tennessee than the national average?
No: $28,330 against $30,890 nationally, 8% less.
Where does Tennessee rank for cook pay?
Tennessee ranks 38 of 51 states.
Which city in Tennessee pays cooks the most?
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN, with a median of $34,210 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.