Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in East Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $30,390 -16.6% vs national
Median hourly $14.61
10th percentile $23,130
90th percentile $38,220
Employed locally 700
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,130
    25th
    $25,640
    50th (median)
    $30,390
    75th
    $35,620
    90th
    $38,220

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    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, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in East Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Tennessee is $14.61, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.65 or more per hour.

    Is East Tennessee above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in East Tennessee is 16.6% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in East Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $23,130 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,640.