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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Tennessee
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Tennessee?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$36,420
Median Annual Salary
▲
+1.7% vs 2024
$36,530
Mean Salary
$36,420
Median Salary
$17.51
Hourly Rate
28,220 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Tennessee
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee earn a median salary of $36,420 per year ($3,035/month).
This is 3.4% below the national average of $37,684.
Tennessee ranks #34 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 28,220 people work in this occupation across Tennessee.
Salaries increased by 1.7% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee range from $27,910 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $45,650 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $30,610 and $40,740.
Median $36,420
P10: $27,910P25: $30,610P75: $40,740P90: $45,650
10th
$27,910
25th
$30,610
Median
$36,420
75th
$40,740
90th
$45,650
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$27,910
$13.42
$2,325
25th Percentile
$30,610
$14.72
$2,550
Median (50th)
$36,420
$17.51
$3,035
75th Percentile
$40,740
$19.59
$3,395
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$45,650
$21.95
$3,804
Note: The mean (average) salary of $36,530 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee is $36,420 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $36,530.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee range from $27,910 at the 10th percentile to $45,650 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $30,610 and $40,740.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Tennessee typically start around $27,910 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $30,610 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 28,220 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Tennessee is approximately $17.51 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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