Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in North Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $31,700 -13% vs national
Median hourly $15.24
10th percentile $26,560
90th percentile $39,210
Employed locally 680
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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North Central Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $26,560
    25th
    $28,080
    50th (median)
    $31,700
    75th
    $35,330
    90th
    $39,210

    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 North Central Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$26,710
    Waiters and Waitresses$22,370
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$35,420
    Cooks, Restaurant$29,290
    Food Preparation Workers$26,750
    Cooks, Fast Food$26,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in North Central Tennessee?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Central Tennessee is $15.24, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.85 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in North Central Tennessee is 13% 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 North Central Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $26,560 per year in North Central Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $28,080.