Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks in Tennessee earn a median of $69,810 a year, +12% compared with the U.S. median.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
- Median pay
- $69,810
- vs. U.S. median
- +12% ($62,470)
- Rank among states
- 10 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 3,820
Pay range in Tennessee
The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,410; the top 10% earn over $98,860. Nationally the range is $37,900 to $98,560.
States ranked near Tennessee
Similar jobs in Tennessee
- Food Service Managers$64,410 median in Tennessee
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$40,500 median in Tennessee
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$46,800 median in Tennessee
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$35,570 median in Tennessee
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$39,960 median in Tennessee
- Cooks, Restaurant$36,420 median in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Tennessee
How much do chefs and head cooks make in Tennessee?
The median is $69,810 a year. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,410 and the top 10% earn over $98,860. BLS OEWS May 2025.
Is Tennessee a good state for chefs and head cooks?
On pay alone it ranks 10 of 51 (+12% vs. the national median of $62,470). Living costs are not included.