SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Cleveland
Cleveland, TN · 7 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Cleveland, TN is $28,660 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 20.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Cleveland, TN is $28,660 a year, trailing the national median of $35,880 by 20.1%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $21,330 and $29,980. The lowest tenth earn under $19,270, while the highest tenth earn more than $34,980.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.9 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Nashville records the highest median at $37,830. Of the 198 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 177th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $19,270 | −46.3% |
| 25th | $21,330 | −40.6% |
| Median (50th) | $28,660 | −20.1% |
| 75th | $29,980 | −16.4% |
| 90th | $34,980 | −2.5% |
| Mean | $27,380 | −23.7% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $37,830 | 600 | |
| 2 | Kingsport | $30,510 | 120 | |
| 3 | Knoxville | $30,210 | 320 | |
| 4 | Clarksville | $30,170 | 100 | |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $29,950 | 200 | |
| 6 | Memphis | $29,880 | 590 | |
| 7 | Johnson City | $29,460 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Cleveland run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $28,660 goes as far as $31,186 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 13.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$28,660as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,186US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $28,660 a year, 20.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $19,270 to $34,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $37,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Cleveland, TN?
The median annual wage is $28,660, or $13.78 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 $35,880, so pay in Cleveland, TN is 20.1% 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 Cleveland, TN earns more than $34,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $19,270 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 $37,830 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Cleveland, 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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