SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — North Central Tennessee
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 10 metro areas compared
At $35,040, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Central Tennessee, TN tracks the national median of $37,450 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $35,040, median pay for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Central Tennessee, TN tracks the national median of $37,450 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $29,330 and $37,750. The lowest tenth earn under $27,830, while the highest tenth earn more than $39,210.
Employment stands at 670, or 5.9 jobs per thousand held locally. Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $37,910. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 272nd of 318 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,830 | −25.7% |
| 25th | $29,330 | −21.7% |
| Median (50th) | $35,040 | −6.4% |
| 75th | $37,750 | +0.8% |
| 90th | $39,210 | +4.7% |
| Mean | $33,650 | −10.1% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $37,910 | 2,880 | |
| 2 | Clarksville | $35,570 | 470 | |
| 3 | Kingsport | $35,210 | 510 | |
| 4 | Knoxville | $35,150 | 970 | |
| 5 | Jackson | $35,110 | 510 | |
| 6 | Chattanooga | $33,410 | 940 | |
| 7 | Memphis | $33,170 | 1,530 | |
| 8 | Cleveland | $32,220 | 150 | |
| 9 | Johnson City | $31,330 | 440 | |
| 10 | Morristown | $30,080 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $35,040 goes as far as $38,128 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,040as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,128US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,040 a year, 6.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,830 to $39,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 670 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $37,910.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in North Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $35,040, or $16.85 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in North Central Tennessee, TN is 6.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $39,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,830 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Nashville, at $37,910 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 670 jobs in this occupation in North Central Tennessee, TN. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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