Cooks, Restaurant Salary in West Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $29,480 -20% vs national
Median hourly $14.17
10th percentile $20,260
90th percentile $41,680
Employed locally 780
National median $36,830

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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,260
    25th
    $25,270
    50th (median)
    $29,480
    75th
    $34,680
    90th
    $41,680

    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 West Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,340
    Waiters and Waitresses $21,840
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $34,990
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,740
    Food Preparation Workers $25,500
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,760

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in West Tennessee is $14.17, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $20.46 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in West Tennessee is 20% 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 West Tennessee?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $20,260 per year in West Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $25,270.