Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, fast food pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($40,300) by $12,290 — a 44% gap.
Tennessee employs roughly 2.5% of all cooks, fast food in the country (16,690 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $20,900 | $10.05 |
| 25th percentile | $24,400 | $11.73 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $28,010 | $13.47 |
| 75th percentile | $34,430 | $16.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Mean (average) | $29,120 | $14.00 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $28,010 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $40,300 | +44% |
| District of Columbia | $38,350 | +37% |
| New Hampshire | $37,220 | +33% |
| Massachusetts | $37,100 | +32% |
| Vermont | $37,050 | +32% |
| Oregon | $37,020 | +32% |
| Washington | $36,800 | +31% |
| California | $36,410 | +30% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $28,000 | 690 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $28,030 | 22,820 |
| Telemarketers | $28,110 | 2,380 |
| Cashiers | $27,860 | 68,830 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,840 | 84,170 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,340 | 10,940 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Fast Food salary in Tennessee?
The mean cooks, fast food salary in Tennessee is $29,120 per year. The median (middle) salary is $28,010 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee?
Entry-level cooks, fast foods (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $20,900 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $24,400 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Fast Food salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $37,580 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $34,430 per year.
How does the Tennessee Cooks, Fast Food salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, fast food salary in Tennessee is $28,010, which is -7% below national average of $30,160.