Cooks, Fast Food salary in Johnson City, TN
Cooks, Fast Food in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn a median of $26,430 a year ($12.71 an hour), based on BLS data for 570 workers.
Pay ranges from $19,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,280 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 7% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,330. There are 7.0 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $26,420, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Johnson City, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $19,060 | $9.16 |
| 25th percentile | $23,440 | $11.27 |
| Median | $26,430 | $12.71 |
| 75th percentile | $28,620 | $13.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $33,280 | $16.00 |
| Average (mean) | $26,420 | $12.70 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,202.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,101.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,016.54 |
| Weekly | $508.27 |
| Hourly | $12.71 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,210 | 4,840 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,580 | 2,120 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,310 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,230 | 2,270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,930 | 720 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $26,890 | 940 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,430 | 400 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,420 | 910 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Johnson City, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $26,850 | $12.91 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,620 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,460 | $14.16 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,270 | $12.63 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $22,070 | $10.61 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Bartender | $21,700 | $10.43 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $22,320 | $10.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $23,360 | $11.23 |
| Dishwasher | $28,890 | $13.89 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,050 | $13.01 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,990 | $28.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Johnson City, TN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Johnson City, TN?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Johnson City, TN metro area is $26,430 a year, or $12.71 an hour. Pay ranges from $19,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $33,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Johnson City, TN?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Johnson City, TN metro area earn at least $33,280 a year. The top 25% earn $28,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Johnson City, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $19,060 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $23,440 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Johnson City, TN?
About 570 cooks, fast food are employed in the Johnson City, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.