Cooks, Restaurant Salary in South Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $29,120 -20.9% vs national
Median hourly $14.00
10th percentile $20,260
90th percentile $37,640
Employed locally 720
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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South Central Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,260
    25th
    $27,370
    50th (median)
    $29,120
    75th
    $34,670
    90th
    $37,640

    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 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
    Food Preparation Workers $25,770
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,080
    Cooks, Fast Food $28,490

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in South Central Tennessee is $14.00, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.88 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in South Central Tennessee is 20.9% 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 South Central Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,260 per year in South Central Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $27,370.