Cooks, Short Order Salary in East Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $27,690 -22.3% vs national
Median hourly $13.31
10th percentile $20,150
90th percentile $36,970
Employed locally 220
National median $35,620

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Cooks, Short Order
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,150
    25th
    $20,800
    50th (median)
    $27,690
    75th
    $29,680
    90th
    $36,970

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Short Order

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,970
    Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ $48,700
    Barnstable Town, MA $46,830
    Arizona $46,240
    Washington $46,010
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $46,010

    Related occupations in East Tennessee

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $26,580
    Waiters and Waitresses $23,400
    Cooks, Restaurant $34,510
    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

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Short Order in East Tennessee is $13.31, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.00 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Short Order salary in East Tennessee is 22.3% below the national median of $35,620. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

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

    Entry-level Cooks, Short Order (10th percentile) earn around $20,150 per year in East Tennessee. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $20,800.