Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the median pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria is $17.10 an hour ($35,570 a year). About 10,680 people work in this job there.
That is 5% lower than the U.S. median ($37,450). Tennessee ranks 39th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Tennessee
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.38 | $27,830 |
| 25% of workers | $14.49 | $30,150 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.10 | $35,570 |
| 75% of workers | $18.69 | $38,860 |
| 90% of workers | $21.84 | $45,430 |
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $37,910 | 2,880 |
| Clarksville | $35,570 | 470 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $35,210 | 510 |
| Knoxville | $35,150 | 970 |
| Jackson | $35,110 | 510 |
| Chattanooga | $33,410 | 940 |
| Memphis | $33,170 | 1,530 |
| Cleveland | $32,220 | 150 |
| Johnson City | $31,330 | 440 |
| Morristown | $30,080 | 130 |
Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for cooks, institution and cafeteria
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 3 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: +2.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 62,900 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Tennessee
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $28,330 |
| Bakers | $34,440 |
| Food Service Managers | $64,410 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $69,810 |
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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.