Cooks, Fast Food salary in Tennessee
Cooks, Fast Food in Tennessee earn a median of $28,330 a year ($13.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $20,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,330 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $30,890. Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 4.3 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $29,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $20,380 | $9.80 |
| 25th percentile | $24,550 | $11.80 |
| Median | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 75th percentile | $34,780 | $16.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,330 | $18.43 |
| Average (mean) | $29,480 | $14.18 |
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 | $2,360.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,180.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,089.62 |
| Weekly | $544.81 |
| Hourly | $13.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $28,330 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 cities in Tennessee
| 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 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,430 | 570 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 | $14.52 |
| Cooks, All Other | $36,440 | $17.52 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $13.21 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $13.35 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $19.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,470 | $14.17 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,490 | $13.22 |
| Bartender | $27,480 | $13.21 |
| Dishwasher | $30,530 | $14.68 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,670 | $14.75 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 | $33.56 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Tennessee
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 Tennessee?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Tennessee is $28,330 a year, or $13.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $20,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Tennessee earn at least $38,330 a year. The top 25% earn $34,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $20,380 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $24,550 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Tennessee?
About 14,020 cooks, fast food are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.