Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Tennessee
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee earn a median of $35,570 a year ($17.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 10,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,430 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $37,450. Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $35,260, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,830 | $13.38 |
| 25th percentile | $30,150 | $14.49 |
| Median | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 75th percentile | $38,860 | $18.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,430 | $21.84 |
| Average (mean) | $35,260 | $16.95 |
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 cities in Tennessee
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,910 | 2,880 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $28,700 | $13.80 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 | $13.62 |
| 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 35-2012. 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 Tennessee?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee is $35,570 a year, or $17.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Tennessee?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee earn at least $45,430 a year. The top 25% earn $38,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,830 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,150 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Tennessee?
About 10,680 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Tennessee, not counting the self-employed.