Quick answer
Restaurant Cooks in Tennessee earned a median of $36,420 a year ($17.51 an hour) in May 2025, 3% below the national median of $37,390; 28,220 were employed there, ranking #35 of 54 states and territories by median pay, per BLS OEWS.
Data as of May 2025. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025
| Measure | Tennessee | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| Mean annual wage | $36,530 | $38,730 |
| Median hourly wage | $17.51 | $17.98 |
| 10th percentile | $27,910 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $30,610 | $34,010 |
| 75th percentile | $40,740 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $45,650 | $47,900 |
| Employment | 28,220 | 1,409,890 |
| Jobs per 1,000 | 8.608 | — |
| Location quotient | 0.95 | 1.00 |
Related
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Rhode Island (May 2025)
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- Restaurant Cooks salary in South Dakota (May 2025)
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Texas (May 2025)
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Utah (May 2025)
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Vermont (May 2025)
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Virgin Islands (May 2025)
- Restaurant Cooks salary in Virginia (May 2025)
Last updated 2026-10-16. Data only, not financial or tax advice.