Cooks, Restaurant Salary in North Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $29,290 -20.5% vs national
Median hourly $14.08
10th percentile $23,590
90th percentile $38,900
Employed locally 890
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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North Central Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,590
    25th
    $26,140
    50th (median)
    $29,290
    75th
    $35,210
    90th
    $38,900

    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 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
    Food Preparation Workers $26,750
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,680
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $31,700

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in North Central Tennessee is $14.08, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.54 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in North Central Tennessee is 20.5% 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 North Central Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $23,590 per year in North Central Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $26,140.