Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $33.56 an hour ($69,810 a year). About 3,820 people work in this job there.
That is 12% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). Tennessee ranks 10th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $21.83 | $45,410 |
| 25% of workers | $27.63 | $57,470 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.56 | $69,810 |
| 75% of workers | $39.37 | $81,900 |
| 90% of workers | $47.53 | $98,860 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $70,420 | 1,780 |
| Jackson | $69,280 | 60 |
| Memphis | $66,230 | 540 |
| Chattanooga | $63,690 | 280 |
| Knoxville | $62,770 | 470 |
| Cleveland | $62,180 | 30 |
| Morristown | $61,290 | 30 |
| Clarksville | $60,880 | 100 |
| Johnson City | $59,990 | 100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $55,360 | 100 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 |
| Bakers | $34,440 |
| Food Service Managers | $64,410 |
| Food Batchmakers | $42,610 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $30,210 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.