Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Tennessee
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee was $35,570 -5.0% vs national
Tennessee vs United States
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $35,570 | $37,450 |
| Median hourly | $17.10 | $18.01 |
| Employment | 10,680 | 441,050 |
| Location quotient | 1.15 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Tennessee) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
What this means
Employment density in Tennessee is 1.15x the national average — a above-average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $27,830, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $45,430 — a 1.6x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Tennessee?
The median annual wage in Tennessee is $35,570 ($17.10 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for cooks, institution and cafeteria?
The Tennessee median of $35,570 is 5.0% lower than the U.S. median of $37,450.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Tennessee?
Approximately 10,680 are employed in Tennessee, per BLS OES.