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Average Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Chefs and Head Cooks in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area earn an average annual salary of $68,230, surpassing the national average of $64,680. This higher compensation reflects the region's growing culinary scene and demand for skilled kitchen leadership, often driven by the city's vibrant hospitality and tourism sectors.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $68,230 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 19.9% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $96,460.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 1,110 Chefs and Head Cooks, the Nashville metropolitan area demonstrates a solid presence in this profession. The Location Quotient of 0.86 suggests a slightly lower concentration compared to the national average, indicating a healthy demand that may not be oversaturated, offering potential opportunities for skilled professionals.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$68,230

The average Chefs and Head Cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN earns+5.5%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$32.8

Weekly

$1,312

Monthly

$5,686

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary Distribution in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Career progression for Chefs and Head Cooks typically involves a significant salary increase with experience. Entry-level positions might start closer to the lower percentiles, while seasoned Head Cooks with extensive experience and management skills can command salaries well into the higher percentiles, reflecting their increased responsibility and expertise.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$49,590$23.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$51,173$24.6
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$63,810$30.7
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$85,288$41
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$96,460$46.4

Detailed Chefs and Head Cooks Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$68,230

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$68,230

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $68,230 in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the higher nominal salary offers purchasing power that is equivalent to the national average, providing a stable financial foundation for residents.

Job Market Context

1,110

Total Jobs

1.013

Per 1K Jobs

0.86

Location Quotient

Below Average

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has 0.86x the national average concentration of Chefs and Head Cooks jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.86 indicates that the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area has a slightly lower concentration of Chefs and Head Cooks relative to the national average. This suggests that while the profession is well-represented, there may be a good balance between job availability and the number of professionals, potentially leading to competitive opportunities for qualified individuals.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Chefs and Head Cooks

CitySalaryDist.
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Chefs and Head Cooks Salary$62,460↓ 8%29 mi
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Chefs and Head Cooks Salary$50,190↓ 26%29 mi
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Chefs and Head Cooks Salary$60,630↓ 11%29 mi
Clarksville, TN-KY Chefs and Head Cooks Salary$50,070↓ 27%42 mi

Comparing salaries near Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Hiring Chefs and Head Cookss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chefs and Head Cooks make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

The median annual salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $68,230. This typically ranges from $49,590 for entry-level positions to $96,460 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is 5.5% higher than the national median of $64,680.

Is Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN a lucrative place for Chefs and Head Cooks?

Yes, with a stable financial outlook.The average salary of $68,230 is higher than the national average, and the cost of living is on par with the national average, indicating good purchasing power.

Is Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN a good place to live for Chefs and Head Cooks?

The Cost of Living Index in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

Some top paying nearby cities include East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area ($62,460) and South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area.

How does the Nashville area compare to the national average for Chef salaries?

Chefs and Head Cooks in the Nashville area earn approximately $3,550 more annually than the national average, with a salary of $68,230 compared to $64,680.

What is the job concentration for Chefs and Head Cooks in Nashville?

The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.86, which is slightly below the national average of 1.0, suggesting a moderate presence of this role in the local workforce.

How does the cost of living in Nashville affect the Chef salary?

The cost of living in Nashville is exactly at the national average (100), meaning the higher salary of $68,230 provides purchasing power equivalent to the national average.

What does the number of jobs per 1,000 workers indicate for Chefs and Head Cooks in Nashville?

With 1.013 jobs per 1,000 workers, the Nashville area has a slightly higher representation of Chef and Head Cook roles than the national average, indicating a steady demand.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 1,110 employees in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area with a job density of 1.013 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Top Jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Semantic Salary Analysis for Chefs and Head Cooks • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN