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Average Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Cooks in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area earn an average annual salary of $38,160. This figure is slightly above the national average of $37,700, indicating a competitive market for culinary professionals in this dynamic region. Local demand and the specific economic landscape of Middle Tennessee play a significant role in shaping compensation for these essential roles.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $38,160 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 39.1% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $46,590.
  • Outlook: With a substantial local workforce of 10,170 individuals in this role, the market for Cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN appears robust. The Location Quotient of 0.98 suggests that the concentration of these jobs is nearly on par with the national average, implying a steady and consistent demand for culinary talent within the area's thriving food service industry.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$38,160

The average Cooks, Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN earns+1.2%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$18.4

Weekly

$734

Monthly

$3,180

Cooks, Restaurant Salary Distribution in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN

Salary progression for Cooks typically correlates with experience and skill level. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while experienced chefs and specialized cooks can command significantly higher salaries. The percentile gaps in earnings within this dataset signify clear opportunities for career advancement and increased earning potential as professionals hone their craft and take on more responsibility.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$28,210$13.6
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$28,620$13.8
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$37,440$18
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$47,700$22.9
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$46,590$22.4

Detailed Cooks, Restaurant Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$38,160

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$38,160

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $38,160 in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that the purchasing power of a cook's salary in this region is equivalent to the national average, suggesting that the compensation is well-balanced with the local expenses for housing, food, and other necessities.

Job Market Context

10,170

Total Jobs

9.271

Per 1K Jobs

0.98

Location Quotient

Below Average

Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN has 0.98x the national average concentration of Cooks, Restaurant 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 0.98 indicates that the job market for Cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is very close to the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a balanced market where demand is present but not overwhelmingly high, offering a stable environment for job seekers and employers alike without extreme competition or scarcity.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Restaurant

CitySalaryDist.
East Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$33,550↓ 12%29 mi
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,410↓ 20%29 mi
West Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,180↓ 21%29 mi
North Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area Cooks, Restaurant Salary$30,930↓ 19%29 mi
Clarksville, TN-KY Cooks, Restaurant Salary$31,360↓ 18%42 mi

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

Hiring Cooks, Restaurants?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Restaurant make in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $38,160. This typically ranges from $28,210 for entry-level positions to $46,590 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 1.2% higher than the national median of $37,700.

Is Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN a lucrative place for Cooks, Restaurants?

Yes, it offers competitive compensation.The average salary for Cooks in this area is slightly above the national average, and the cost of living is also at the national average, indicating good earning potential relative to expenses.

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

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 ($33,550) and South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area.

How does the average cook salary in Nashville compare to the national average?

The average annual salary for Cooks in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is $38,160, which is slightly higher than the national average of $37,700.

What is the cost of living in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN for cooks?

The Cost of Living Index for Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN is 100, which is exactly the national average, meaning expenses are neither significantly higher nor lower than the typical U.S. city.

How many cooks are employed in the Nashville area?

There are approximately 10,170 Cooks employed within the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN metropolitan area.

Is the job market for cooks saturated in Nashville?

With a Location Quotient of 0.98, the market is very close to the national average concentration, suggesting a balanced job market that is neither overly saturated nor experiencing a significant shortage of cooks.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 10,170 employees in the Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN area with a job density of 9.271 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 Cooks, Restaurant • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN