Cooks, Fast Food pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for cooks, fast food is $13.62 an hour ($28,330 a year). About 14,020 people work in this job there.
That is 8% lower than the U.S. median ($30,890). Tennessee ranks 38th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $9.80 | $20,380 |
| 25% of workers | $11.80 | $24,550 |
| Half of workers (median) | $13.62 | $28,330 |
| 75% of workers | $16.72 | $34,780 |
| 90% of workers | $18.43 | $38,330 |
Cooks, Fast Food pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $34,210 | 4,840 |
| Knoxville | $27,580 | 2,120 |
| Morristown | $27,310 | 240 |
| Memphis | $27,230 | 2,270 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $26,930 | 720 |
| Chattanooga | $26,890 | 940 |
| Jackson | $26,430 | 400 |
| Johnson City | $26,430 | 570 |
| Clarksville | $26,420 | 910 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, fast food
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: None (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +0.6% over ten years, little or no change · about 86,400 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $35,570 |
| Bakers | $34,440 |
| Food Batchmakers | $42,610 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $39,960 |
| 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.