Cooks, Fast Food salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Cooks, Fast Food in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $27,230 a year ($13.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,270 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,030 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 4% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,330. There are 3.7 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $27,550, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,040 | $10.60 |
| 25th percentile | $22,930 | $11.03 |
| Median | $27,230 | $13.09 |
| 75th percentile | $29,140 | $14.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Average (mean) | $27,550 | $13.24 |
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 | $2,269.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,134.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,047.31 |
| Weekly | $523.65 |
| Hourly | $13.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,230 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 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $28,580 | 3,050 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $27,710 | 1,660 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,580 | 2,120 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,310 | 240 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,930 | 720 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $26,890 | 940 |
| Jonesboro, AR | $26,580 | 490 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $26,480 | 640 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,430 | 400 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,430 | 570 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,420 | 910 |
| Texarkana, TX-AR | $24,500 | 230 |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $23,470 | 1,010 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $23,410 | 1,720 |
| Jackson, MS | $22,310 | 2,470 |
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,290 | $13.12 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,170 | $15.95 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,880 | $14.37 |
| Cooks, All Other | $38,950 | $18.73 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,490 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,620 | $19.05 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,740 | $16.70 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,610 | $13.27 |
| Bartender | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| Dishwasher | $29,700 | $14.28 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $31,080 | $14.94 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,230 | $31.84 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $27,230 a year, or $13.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $35,030 a year. The top 25% earn $29,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,040 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $22,930 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 2,270 cooks, fast food are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.