Cooks Fast Food Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$20,380
- 25th Percentile — Junior$24,550
- 50th Percentile — Median$28,330
- 75th Percentile — Senior$34,780
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$38,330
Half of Cooks Fast Food in Tennessee earn more than $28,330. The top 10% make $38,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $20,380.
Cooks Fast Food in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 36th of 51 states for Cooks Fast Food pay, at $29,480 per year (9.0% below the U.S. average of $32,390).
- 14,020 people work as Cooks Fast Food in Tennessee — 2.2% of all U.S. Cooks Fast Food jobs.
- Location quotient 1.04: Cooks Fast Food jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $20,380; the top 10% earn over $38,330.
- Hourly equivalent: $14.17 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $43,710.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,710).
Cooks Fast Food Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Cooks Fast Food here earn $29,480 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $29,480 is roughly equivalent to $33,500 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Michigan ($30,400), Montana ($30,260), Wyoming ($30,030) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Fast Food 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
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,710/yr Tennessee +139.9% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee +51.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee +23.9% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $35,260/yr Tennessee +19.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,180/yr Tennessee +5.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee +0.7% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,070/yr Tennessee 1.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870/yr Tennessee 5.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Fast Food salary in Tennessee?
The average Cooks Fast Food salary in Tennessee is $29,480 per year (median $28,330), which is 9.0% below the national average of $32,390.
How does Tennessee rank for Cooks Fast Food pay?
Tennessee ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($43,710/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Fast Food make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Fast Food in Tennessee earn about $20,380 per year and the 25th percentile is $24,550.
How much do Cooks Fast Food make per hour in Tennessee?
About $14.17 per hour, based on the $29,480 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Fast Food work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 14,020 Cooks Fast Food jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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