Cooks, Short Order Salary in South Central Tennessee

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

Median annual salary $23,460 -34.1% vs national
Median hourly $11.28
10th percentile $20,150
90th percentile $33,280
Employed locally 110
National median $35,620

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Cooks, Short Order
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South Central Tennessee
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $20,150
    25th
    $20,800
    50th (median)
    $23,460
    75th
    $27,860
    90th
    $33,280

    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 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
    Cooks, Restaurant $29,120
    Food Preparation Workers $25,770
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $30,080

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Short Order in South Central Tennessee is $11.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $17.00 or more per hour.

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

    The median Cooks, Short Order salary in South Central Tennessee is 34.1% 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 South Central Tennessee?

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