Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Tennessee
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, restaurant in Tennessee was $36,420 -2.6% vs national
Tennessee vs United States
| Tennessee | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| Median hourly | $17.51 | $17.98 |
| Employment | 28,220 | 1,409,890 |
| Location quotient | 0.95 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Tennessee) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Reading the data
Pay spans a wide range: workers at the 10th percentile earn about $27,910, while those at the 90th percentile earn about $45,650 — a 1.6x gap between entry-level and top earners.
Employment density in Tennessee is 0.95x the national average — a below-average concentration of these roles in the local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, restaurant salary in Tennessee?
The median annual wage in Tennessee is $36,420 ($17.51 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Tennessee compare to the national average for cooks, restaurant?
The Tennessee median of $36,420 is 2.6% lower than the U.S. median of $37,390.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Tennessee?
Approximately 28,220 are employed in Tennessee, per BLS OES.