Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,410
- 25th Percentile — Junior$57,470
- 50th Percentile — Median$69,810
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,900
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$98,860
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn more than $69,810. The top 10% make $98,860 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,410.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 10th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $70,710 per year (6.0% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 3,820 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee — 1.9% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 0.91: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are less concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,410; the top 10% earn over $98,860.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.0 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($44,720).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $70,710 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $70,710 is roughly equivalent to $80,352 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Wyoming ($74,570), Massachusetts ($73,420), New Jersey ($72,930) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Tennessee
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee 36.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee 48.3% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Tennessee 50.1% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,180/yr Tennessee 55.9% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee 58.0% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,480/yr Tennessee 58.3% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,070/yr Tennessee 58.9% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870/yr Tennessee 60.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Tennessee?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Tennessee is $70,710 per year (median $69,810), which is 6.0% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Tennessee rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Tennessee ranks 10th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn about $45,410 per year and the 25th percentile is $57,470.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Tennessee?
About $34.0 per hour, based on the $70,710 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 3,820 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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