Tennessee ranks 41st of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, short order pay, trailing top-paying Arizona ($46,240) by $17,240 — a 59% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $20,470 to $39,480 — a $19,010 spread, 15% tighter than the national $22,240 range.
Tennessee employs roughly 1.9% of all cooks, short order in the country (2,890 workers).
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $20,470 | $9.84 |
| 25th percentile | $23,690 | $11.39 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $29,000 | $13.94 |
| 75th percentile | $33,770 | $16.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,480 | $18.98 |
| Mean (average) | $29,620 | $14.24 |
How Tennessee Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (current) | $29,000 | n/a |
| Arizona | $46,240 | +59% |
| Washington | $46,010 | +59% |
| Massachusetts | $44,770 | +54% |
| Colorado | $44,090 | +52% |
| Hawaii | $41,100 | +42% |
| Alaska | $39,940 | +38% |
| Vermont | $39,140 | +35% |
| California | $39,010 | +35% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Tennessee
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,980 | 22,530 |
| Childcare Workers | $29,030 | 13,190 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $29,050 | 4,940 |
| Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists | $29,170 | 5,240 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $29,200 | 6,400 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $29,210 | 1,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Short Order salary in Tennessee?
The mean cooks, short order salary in Tennessee is $29,620 per year. The median (middle) salary is $29,000 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee?
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) in Tennessee typically earn around $20,470 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $23,690 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Short Order salary in Tennessee?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Tennessee make approximately $39,480 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $33,770 per year.
How does the Tennessee Cooks, Short Order salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, short order salary in Tennessee is $29,000, which is -19% below national average of $35,620.