Cooks, Short Order Salary in Tennessee
Cooks, Short Orders in Tennessee make a median of $29,000 a year, or about $13.94 an hour. The range runs from $20K at the entry level to $39K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across Tennessee. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $29K get you in Tennessee?
About cooks, short orders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Tennessee
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) start around $20K. Mid-career wages sit at $29K. Top earners bring in $39K or more, a $19K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Short Order salary by metro in Tennessee
9 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | $31K | +6% | 970 |
| Memphis | $29K | +0% | 520 |
| Knoxville | $29K | -1% | 270 |
| Clarksville | $29K | -2% | 130 |
| Johnson City | $28K | -2% | 150 |
| Morristown | $28K | -2% | 50 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | $28K | -3% | 100 |
| Chattanooga | $27K | -6% | 260 |
| Cleveland | $23K | -21% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track cooks, short order 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 cooks, short orders make in Tennessee?
The median is $29,000 a year, that works out to about $14 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $20,470, and experienced cooks, short orders can clear $39,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $29K enough to live in Tennessee?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,112/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,215/month, which eats 57.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, short order 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 cooks, short order salary is worth about $32,301 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, short orders 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.