Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Chefs and Head Cooks actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 18.0% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Chefs and Head Cooks earning $69,810 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $69,810 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$7,199 | 10.3% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$4,328 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,012 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$12,539 | 18.0% |
| Take-Home Pay | $57,270 | 82.0% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $45,410 | -$6,939 | $38,470 | 15.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $57,470 | -$9,308 | $48,161 | 16.2% |
| Median (P50) | $69,810 | -$12,539 | $57,270 | 18.0% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $81,900 | -$16,124 | $65,775 | 19.7% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $98,860 | -$21,152 | $77,707 | 21.4% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Chefs and Head Cooks keeps $57,270 of their $69,810 salary — 82.0% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making Tennessee one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee faces an effective total tax rate of only 18.0%, keeping 82.0% of every gross dollar. That leaves $57,270 net out of $69,810 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
Tennessee is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Chefs and Head Cooks, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($7,199) accounts for 57% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $5,340 (43%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
For Chefs and Head Cooks after-tax pay, Tennessee ranks #6 of 51 states — top quartile. High gross wages or low state-tax burden (or both) drive the strong ranking.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $57,270 net/year works out to $4,773/month or $2,203/bi-weekly for this Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Chefs and Head Cooks keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #6 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks after-tax take-home pay.
A Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earning a median salary of $69,810 will take home approximately $57,270 per year after federal income tax ($7,199), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($5,340). That is $4,772 per month or $2,202 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee is 18.0%, broken down as: federal income tax 10.3%, Tennessee state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, Tennessee does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 18.0%.
After all taxes, a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee takes home approximately $4,772 per month, or about $27.53 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $69,810 for Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), Tennessee state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $57,270/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR