Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn a median annual wage of $69,810 —11.7% above the national median of $62,470. That ranks TN #10 of 51 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.91×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
All 51 states ranked by median annual wage. Tennessee is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rhode Island | $79,930 | $38.43 | 740 | 1.15 |
| 2 | Hawaii | $77,360 | $37.19 | 1,240 | 1.53 |
| 3 | District of Columbia | $76,420 | $36.74 | 2,020 | 2.23 |
| 4 | Washington | $76,010 | $36.54 | 5,320 | 1.16 |
| 5 | North Dakota | $74,740 | $35.93 | 100 | 0.19 |
| 6 | New Jersey | $74,280 | $35.71 | 9,100 | 1.65 |
| 7 | Wyoming | $73,170 | $35.18 | 240 | 0.67 |
| 8 | South Carolina | $71,860 | $34.55 | 2,650 | 0.89 |
| 9 | New York | $70,670 | $33.98 | 17,430 | 1.40 |
| 10 | Tennessee | $69,810 | $33.56 | 3,820 | 0.91 |
Related occupations in Tennessee
Occupations in the same job family, compared within Tennessee.
| Occupation | Tennessee median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,470 | $31,200 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $27,760 | $35,230 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $40,500 | $44,080 |
| Food Preparation Workers | $28,700 | $35,320 |
| Bartenders | $27,480 | $34,340 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Tennessee?
The median annual wage for chefs and head cooks in Tennessee is $69,810, or $33.56 per hour. That is 11.7% above the national median of $62,470.
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in Tennessee?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $45,410 per year ($21.83/hour). The 25th percentile is $57,470.
How many people work as chefs and head cooks in Tennessee?
About 3,820 people work in this occupation in Tennessee, or 1.2 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is Tennessee a good state for chefs and head cooks?
Tennessee ranks #10 of 51 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.91x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays chefs and head cooks the most?
Rhode Island has the highest median wage at $79,930 per year, followed by Hawaii ($77,360) and District of Columbia ($76,420).