Cooks, Restaurant pay in Kingsport-Bristol

In Kingsport-Bristol (TN), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $16.63 an hour ($34,600 a year). About 1,020 people work in this job there.

$16.63Median hourly pay
$28,520–$36,270Middle half of workers, yearly
1,020People in this job in Kingsport-Bristol (TN)

That is 7% lower than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is 5% lower than the Tennessee median ($36,420).

Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Kingsport-Bristol (TN)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$12.85$26,730
25% of workers$13.71$28,520
Half of workers (median)$16.63$34,600
75% of workers$17.44$36,270
90% of workers$20.27$42,170

Cooks, Restaurant pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin$38,17010,420
Knoxville$36,5203,820
Memphis$36,3404,800
Chattanooga$36,0102,490
Morristown$35,670320
Jackson$35,490490
Cleveland$35,030340
Clarksville$34,840880
Johnson City$34,620780
Kingsport-Bristol (this page)$34,6001,020

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for cooks, restaurant

  • Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
  • Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +12.1% over ten years, much faster than average · about 218,600 openings a year (BLS)

Other job titles for this job

CookFRY CookGrill CookLine CookSpecialty CookPrep CookBack Line CookBanquet CookBreakfast CookForeign Food Specialty CookHotel CookLarder Cook

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Source: 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.