Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn a median of $37,910 a year ($18.23 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,310 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 7% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $35,570. There are 2.6 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,680, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,540 | $14.68 |
| 25th percentile | $35,560 | $17.10 |
| Median | $37,910 | $18.23 |
| 75th percentile | $43,580 | $20.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,310 | $22.75 |
| Average (mean) | $38,680 | $18.60 |
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 | $3,159.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,579.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,458.08 |
| Weekly | $729.04 |
| Hourly | $18.23 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,910 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,570 | 470 |
| 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 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 | 440 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 | 130 |
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $34,640 | $16.65 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,210 | $16.45 |
| Cooks, All Other | $33,220 | $15.97 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $29,150 | $14.02 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,390 | $14.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Bartender | $28,190 | $13.55 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $28,800 | $13.85 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $29,520 | $14.19 |
| Dishwasher | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $33,830 | $16.27 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $70,420 | $33.86 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN
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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area is $37,910 a year, or $18.23 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,540 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,310 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area earn at least $47,310 a year. The top 25% earn $43,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,540 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $35,560 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?
About 2,880 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metro area, not counting the self-employed.