Cooks, Restaurant Salary in East Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $34,510 -6.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.59
10th percentile $23,920
90th percentile $41,660
Employed locally 2,020
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,920
    25th
    $29,210
    50th (median)
    $34,510
    75th
    $36,930
    90th
    $41,660

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,400
    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
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,390

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in East Tennessee is $16.59, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.72 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in East Tennessee is 6.3% below the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $23,920 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,210.