Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin
In Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $33.86 an hour ($70,420 a year). About 1,780 people work in this job there.
That is 13% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is about the same as the Tennessee median ($69,810).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $26.91 | $55,960 |
| 25% of workers | $27.99 | $58,220 |
| Half of workers (median) | $33.86 | $70,420 |
| 75% of workers | $39.91 | $83,010 |
| 90% of workers | $50.91 | $105,900 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (this page) | $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 Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin (TN)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $29,390 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,170 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,630 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $37,910 |
| Food Service Managers | $69,860 |
| Bakers | $34,920 |
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.