Tennessee ranks 31st of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $10,470 — a 29% gap.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.9% of all cooks, restaurant in the country (27,300 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $24,150 | $11.61 |
| 25th percentile | $28,970 | $13.93 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $35,810 | $17.21 |
| 75th percentile | $39,130 | $18.81 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| Mean (average) | $35,030 | $16.84 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $35,810 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +29% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +26% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +26% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +25% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +25% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +24% |
| California | $44,290 | +24% |
| New York | $39,890 | +11% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $35,740 | 2,810 |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $35,980 | 4,890 |
| Tax Preparers | $35,640 | 1,280 |
| Photographers | $36,000 | 1,090 |
| Security Guards | $36,090 | 28,260 |
| Skincare Specialists | $36,090 | 1,400 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Tennessee?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Tennessee is $35,030 per year. The median (middle) salary is $35,810 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $24,150 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $28,970 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $44,740 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $39,130 per year.
How does the Tennessee Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Tennessee is $35,810, which is -3% below national average of $36,830.