Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee make a median of $59,470 a year, or about $28.59 an hour. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $87K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $59K get you in Tennessee?
About chefs and head cooks
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level chefs and head cooks (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $59K. Top earners bring in $87K or more, a $46K spread from bottom to top.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary by metro in Tennessee
8 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $64K | +7% | 1,110 |
| Memphis | $60K | +1% | 430 |
| Knoxville | $56K | -6% | 440 |
| Chattanooga | $53K | -11% | 190 |
| Jackson | $51K | -14% | 40 |
| Clarksville | $49K | -17% | 70 |
| Johnson City | $48K | -19% | 70 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $48K | -19% | 100 |
Compare to other states
Track chefs and head cooks salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Tennessee numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Tennessee?
The median is $59,470 a year, that works out to about $29 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,810, and experienced chefs and head cooks can clear $87,010. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $59K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,152/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 29.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a chefs and head cooks salary go in Tennessee?
Tennessee has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median chefs and head cooks salary is worth about $66,240 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do chefs and head cooks get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.