Cooks, Fast Food Salary in East Tennessee

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $26,970 -10.6% vs national
Median hourly $12.96
10th percentile $20,500
90th percentile $36,940
Employed locally 800
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,500
    25th
    $24,000
    50th (median)
    $26,970
    75th
    $34,350
    90th
    $36,940

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Fast Food

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $41,980
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $41,800
    Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA $40,580
    Hawaii $40,300
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $39,260
    Napa, CA $39,210

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,580
    Waiters and Waitresses$23,400
    Cooks, Restaurant$34,510
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$37,130
    Food Preparation Workers$26,750
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$28,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Fast Food make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in East Tennessee is $12.96, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.20 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Cooks, Fast Food salaries?

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in East Tennessee is 10.6% below the national median of $30,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Fast Food in East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $20,500 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,000.