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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$69,810
Median Annual Salary
▲
+17.4% vs 2024
$70,710
Mean Salary
$69,810
Median Salary
$33.56
Hourly Rate
3,820 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn a median salary of $69,810 per year ($5,817/month).
This is 12.7% above the national average of $61,962.
Tennessee ranks #10 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay.
Approximately 3,820 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 17.4% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Chefs and Head Cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
Top Skills
Coordination
4.0
Speaking
3.88
Monitoring
3.88
Time Management
3.88
Active Listening
3.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.69
Customer and Personal Service
4.14
Production and Processing
4.04
Administration and Management
4.03
Personnel and Human Resources
3.96
Typical Education: Associate's Degree
(51.7% of workers)
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee range from $45,410 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $98,860 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $57,470 and $81,900.
Median $69,810
P10: $45,410P25: $57,470P75: $81,900P90: $98,860
10th
$45,410
25th
$57,470
Median
$69,810
75th
$81,900
90th
$98,860
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$45,410
$21.83
$3,784
25th Percentile
$57,470
$27.63
$4,789
Median (50th)
$69,810
$33.56
$5,817
75th Percentile
$81,900
$39.38
$6,825
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$98,860
$47.53
$8,238
Note: The mean (average) salary of $70,710 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee is $69,810 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $70,710.
What is the salary range for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee?
Salaries for Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee range from $45,410 at the 10th percentile to $98,860 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $57,470 and $81,900.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee?
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks positions in Tennessee typically start around $45,410 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $57,470 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 3,820 people are employed as Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee is approximately $33.56 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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