Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Pay Range in Tennessee
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,830
- 25th Percentile — Junior$30,150
- 50th Percentile — Median$35,570
- 75th Percentile — Senior$38,860
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$45,430
Half of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee earn more than $35,570. The top 10% make $45,430 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,830.
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Tennessee ranks 40th of 51 states for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay, at $35,260 per year (9.1% below the U.S. average of $38,810).
- 10,680 people work as Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee — 2.4% of all U.S. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs.
- Location quotient 1.15: Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs are more concentrated in Tennessee than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,830; the top 10% earn over $45,430.
- Hourly equivalent: $16.95 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $52,100.
- Among hospitality jobs in Tennessee, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,710).
Cooks Institution and Cafeteria Job Market in Tennessee
Key factors affecting compensation
Tennessee's key industries are Healthcare, Manufacturing, Tourism, and its job market is rated strong. Cooks Institution and Cafeteria here earn $35,260 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.88 (U.S. = 1.00), a Tennessee salary of $35,260 is roughly equivalent to $40,068 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($36,130), Indiana ($35,910), Georgia ($35,380) are the closest alternatives for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria 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 +100.5% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $44,720/yr Tennessee +26.8% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $36,530/yr Tennessee +3.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $31,180/yr Tennessee 11.6% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $29,680/yr Tennessee 15.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $29,480/yr Tennessee 16.4% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $29,070/yr Tennessee 17.6% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,870/yr Tennessee 21.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Tennessee?
The average Cooks Institution and Cafeteria salary in Tennessee is $35,260 per year (median $35,570), which is 9.1% below the national average of $38,810.
How does Tennessee rank for Cooks Institution and Cafeteria pay?
Tennessee ranks 40th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($52,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make in Tennessee?
The lowest-paid 10% of Cooks Institution and Cafeteria in Tennessee earn about $27,830 per year and the 25th percentile is $30,150.
How much do Cooks Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Tennessee?
About $16.95 per hour, based on the $35,260 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Cooks Institution and Cafeteria work in Tennessee?
BLS counts 10,680 Cooks Institution and Cafeteria jobs in Tennessee (OEWS May 2025).
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