Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Cooks, Short Order actually take home in Tennessee?
No state income tax — 13.1% 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, Short Order earning $30,210 in Tennessee (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $30,210 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$1,641 | 5.4% |
| Tennessee State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$1,873 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$438 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$3,952 | 13.1% |
| Take-Home Pay | $26,257 | 86.9% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $22,880 | -$2,578 | $20,301 | 11.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $26,780 | -$3,278 | $23,501 | 12.2% |
| Median (P50) | $30,210 | -$3,952 | $26,257 | 13.1% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $36,350 | -$5,158 | $31,191 | 14.2% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $39,240 | -$5,726 | $33,513 | 14.6% |
Tennessee has no state income tax, which means a Cooks, Short Order keeps $26,257 of their $30,210 salary — 86.9% 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, Short Order in Tennessee faces an effective total tax rate of only 13.1%, keeping 86.9% of every gross dollar. That leaves $26,258 net out of $30,210 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, Short Order, 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, Short Order salary is $1,641 (42%), but combined state ($0, 0%) + FICA ($2,311, 58%) make up the other 58% of the bill.
Tennessee ranks #32 of 49 states for Cooks, Short Order 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, $26,258 net/year works out to $2,188/month or $1,010/bi-weekly for this Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Cooks, Short Order keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
Tennessee ranks #32 out of 49 states for Cooks, Short Order after-tax take-home pay.
A Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee earning a median salary of $30,210 will take home approximately $26,257 per year after federal income tax ($1,641), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($2,311). That is $2,188 per month or $1,009 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee is 13.1%, broken down as: federal income tax 5.4%, 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, Short Order 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 13.1%.
After all taxes, a Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee takes home approximately $2,188 per month, or about $12.62 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 $30,210 for Cooks, Short Order 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 — $26,257/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