Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Johnson City, TN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Johnson City, TN

Median annual salary $48,130 -21.1% vs national
Median hourly $23.14
10th percentile $26,610
90th percentile $79,830
Employed locally 70
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Johnson City, TN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,610
    25th
    $32,760
    50th (median)
    $48,130
    75th
    $60,220
    90th
    $79,830

    Johnson City economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.50% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $56,096 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 86% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $63,810
    Cleveland, TN $62,180
    Morristown, TN $61,290
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $60,220
    Knoxville, TN $55,650
    Chattanooga, TN-GA $52,990

    Related occupations in Johnson City, TN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,620
    Waiters and Waitresses$27,050
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,720
    Food Preparation Workers$25,870
    Cooks, Restaurant$30,640
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,660

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Johnson City?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Johnson City, TN is $23.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.67 or more per hour.

    Is Johnson City above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Johnson City, TN is 21.1% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Johnson City?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $26,610 per year in Johnson City, TN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $32,760.