Cooks, Fast Food Salary in South Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $28,490 -5.5% vs national
Median hourly $13.70
10th percentile $20,500
90th percentile $35,020
Employed locally 680
National median $30,160

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Cooks, Fast Food
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South Central Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,500
    25th
    $24,330
    50th (median)
    $28,490
    75th
    $32,610
    90th
    $35,020

    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 South Central Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,620
    Waiters and Waitresses $22,360
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,240
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,120
    Food Preparation Workers $25,770
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Fast Food in South Central Tennessee is $13.70, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.49 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Fast Food salary in South Central Tennessee is 5.5% 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 South Central Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Fast Food (10th percentile) earn around $20,500 per year in South Central Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,330.