Cooks, Restaurant pay in Knoxville
In Knoxville (TN), the median pay for cooks, restaurant is $17.56 an hour ($36,520 a year). About 3,820 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($37,390). It is about the same as the Tennessee median ($36,420).
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Knoxville (TN)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $13.39 | $27,860 |
| 25% of workers | $14.73 | $30,630 |
| Half of workers (median) | $17.56 | $36,520 |
| 75% of workers | $18.54 | $38,560 |
| 90% of workers | $21.74 | $45,220 |
Cooks, Restaurant pay in Tennessee metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $38,170 | 10,420 |
| Knoxville (this page) | $36,520 | 3,820 |
| Memphis | $36,340 | 4,800 |
| Chattanooga | $36,010 | 2,490 |
| Morristown | $35,670 | 320 |
| Jackson | $35,490 | 490 |
| Cleveland | $35,030 | 340 |
| Clarksville | $34,840 | 880 |
| Johnson City | $34,620 | 780 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $34,600 | 1,020 |
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)
Related jobs in Knoxville (TN)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Food Preparation Workers | $30,960 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $27,580 |
Other job titles for this job
Open cooks, restaurant jobs on JAI Bot
No open jobs in this field right now. Search all jobs or set up a free job alert.
Hiring cooks, restaurant? Use the free hiring guide for a job description and interview questions, then post the job on JAI Bot. Every job shows typical pay to job seekers.
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.