Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Clarksville, TN-KY
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn a median of $35,570 a year ($17.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 470 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,010 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is about the same as the Tennessee statewide median of $35,570. There are 4.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $33,810, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,430 | $13.19 |
| 25th percentile | $29,320 | $14.10 |
| Median | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 75th percentile | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $38,010 | $18.27 |
| Average (mean) | $33,810 | $16.26 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,964.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,482.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,368.08 |
| Weekly | $684.04 |
| Hourly | $17.10 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $35,570 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, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,910 | 2,880 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $37,370 | 2,700 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $37,180 | 4,310 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | $36,470 | 1,410 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $35,310 | 440 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $35,210 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 | 970 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 | 510 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $33,410 | 940 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,170 | 1,530 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 | 150 |
| Bowling Green, KY | $31,550 | 530 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 | 440 |
| Elizabethtown, KY | $30,260 | 360 |
| Owensboro, KY | $30,170 | 330 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 | 130 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $29,630 | 920 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Clarksville, TN-KY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,420 | $12.70 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $34,840 | $16.75 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $27,030 | $12.99 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,170 | $14.50 |
| Cooks, All Other | $34,820 | $16.74 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $26,990 | $12.97 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $21,790 | $10.48 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $37,950 | $18.24 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,590 | $13.26 |
| Bartender | $24,230 | $11.65 |
| Dishwasher | $28,600 | $13.75 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $25,940 | $12.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $27,510 | $13.23 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,880 | $29.27 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Clarksville, TN-KY
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area is $35,570 a year, or $17.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $38,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Clarksville, TN-KY?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area earn at least $38,010 a year. The top 25% earn $35,570 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Clarksville, TN-KY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,430 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $29,320 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Clarksville, TN-KY?
About 470 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Clarksville, TN-KY metro area, not counting the self-employed.