Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 14.1% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria earning $35,570 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $35,570 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$2,284 | 6.4% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$2,205 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$515 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$5,005 | 14.1% |
| Take-Home Pay | $30,564 | 85.9% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $27,830 | -$3,484 | $24,345 | 12.5% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $30,150 | -$3,940 | $26,209 | 13.1% |
| Median (P50) | $35,570 | -$5,005 | $30,564 | 14.1% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $38,860 | -$5,651 | $33,208 | 14.5% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $45,430 | -$6,942 | $38,487 | 15.3% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria keeps $30,564 of their $35,570 salary — 85.9% 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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee faces an effective total tax rate of only 14.1%, keeping 85.9% of every gross dollar. That leaves $30,564 net out of $35,570 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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria, 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 tax on this Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is $2,284 (46%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($2,721, 54%) make up the other 54% of the bill.
Tennessee ranks #28 of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $30,564 net/year works out to $2,547/month or $1,176/bi-weekly for this Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #28 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria after-tax take-home pay.
A Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee earning a median salary of $35,570 will take home approximately $30,564 per year after federal income tax ($2,284), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($2,721). That is $2,547 per month or $1,175 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee is 14.1%, broken down as: federal income tax 6.4%, 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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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 14.1%.
After all taxes, a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee takes home approximately $2,547 per month, or about $14.69 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 $35,570 for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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 — $30,564/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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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