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Cooks, Fast Food Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Fast Food make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$28,330
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.1% vs 2024
$29,480
Mean Salary
$28,330
Median Salary
$13.62
Hourly Rate
14,020 people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee
Cooks, Fast Food salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee earn a median salary of $28,330 per year ($2,360/month).
This is 10.8% below the national average of $31,757.
Tennessee ranks #38 out of 51 states for Cooks, Fast Food pay.
Approximately 14,020 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 1.1% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Fast Food
Prepare and cook food in a fast food restaurant with a limited menu. Duties of these cooks are limited to preparation of a few basic items and normally involve operating large-volume single-purpose cooking equipment.
Top Skills
Active Listening
3.0
Service Orientation
3.0
Speaking
2.75
Social Perceptiveness
2.75
Coordination
2.75
Key Knowledge Areas
Administration and Management
3.34
Transportation
3.26
Communications and Media
3.2
Customer and Personal Service
3.13
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(58.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee range from $20,380 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $38,330 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $24,550 and $34,780.
Median $28,330
P10: $20,380P25: $24,550P75: $34,780P90: $38,330
10th
$20,380
25th
$24,550
Median
$28,330
75th
$34,780
90th
$38,330
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$20,380
$9.80
$1,698
25th Percentile
$24,550
$11.80
$2,045
Median (50th)
$28,330
$13.62
$2,360
75th Percentile
$34,780
$16.72
$2,898
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$38,330
$18.43
$3,194
Note: The mean (average) salary of $29,480 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee is $28,330 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $29,480.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee?
Salaries for Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee range from $20,380 at the 10th percentile to $38,330 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $24,550 and $34,780.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee?
Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food positions in Tennessee typically start around $20,380 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $24,550 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 14,020 people are employed as Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee is approximately $13.62 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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