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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$35,570
Median Annual Salary
▲
+11.5% vs 2024
$35,260
Mean Salary
$35,570
Median Salary
$17.10
Hourly Rate
10,680 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee earn a median salary of $35,570 per year ($2,964/month).
This is 8.0% below the national average of $38,684.
Tennessee ranks #39 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay.
Approximately 10,680 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 11.5% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
Top Skills
Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12
Key Knowledge Areas
English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(71.1% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee range from $27,830 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,430 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,150 and $38,860.
Median $35,570
P10: $27,830P25: $30,150P75: $38,860P90: $45,430
10th
$27,830
25th
$30,150
Median
$35,570
75th
$38,860
90th
$45,430
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$27,830
$13.38
$2,319
25th Percentile
$30,150
$14.50
$2,512
Median (50th)
$35,570
$17.10
$2,964
75th Percentile
$38,860
$18.68
$3,238
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,430
$21.84
$3,785
Note: The mean (average) salary of $35,260 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#39
Tennessee ranks #39 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Tennessee?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee is $35,570 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $35,260.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee range from $27,830 at the 10th percentile to $45,430 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,150 and $38,860.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Tennessee typically start around $27,830 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,150 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 10,680 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee is approximately $17.10 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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