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Average Cooks, Short Order Salary in Tennessee

Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee earn an average annual salary of $29,620, which is below the national average of $35,650. This disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors and the overall demand for culinary services within the state. Understanding these local dynamics is crucial for anyone considering a career in this field in Tennessee.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $29,620 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 28.5% ↗ over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $39,480.
  • Outlook: With a local workforce of 2,890 Cooks, Short Order, Tennessee presents a moderately sized employment landscape for this profession. The Location Quotient of 0.9 suggests that the concentration of these roles is slightly below the national average, indicating a stable but not exceptionally high demand relative to other occupations in the state.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$29,620

The average Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee earns-16.9%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$14.2

Weekly

$570

Monthly

$2,468

Cooks, Short Order Salary Distribution in Tennessee

Salary progression for Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions may start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with extensive experience and specialized skills can command significantly higher salaries, often reflected in the upper percentiles of earnings.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$20,470$9.8
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$22,215$10.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$29,000$13.9
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$37,025$17.8
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$39,480$19

Detailed Cooks, Short Order Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$29,620

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$32,765

Adjusted for COL (90.4)

The average annual salary of $29,620 in Tennessee, when viewed against a Cost of Living Index of 90.4 (meaning it's 9.6% cheaper than the national average), suggests that the purchasing power of this income is somewhat enhanced. While the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the reduced cost of living can help offset some of the difference.

Job Market Context

2,890

Total Jobs

0.882

Per 1K Jobs

0.9

Location Quotient

Below Average

Tennessee has 0.90x the national average concentration of Cooks, Short Order 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 0.9 for Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee indicates that the employment concentration for this role is just shy of the national average. This suggests a market that is neither oversaturated nor exceptionally scarce, implying a steady availability of positions without intense competition for every opening.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Short Order

CitySalaryDist.
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN Cooks, Short Order Salary$33,030↑ 12%29 mi
Clarksville, TN-KY Cooks, Short Order Salary$27,870↓ 6%67 mi
Huntsville, AL Cooks, Short Order Salary$32,200↑ 9%73 mi
Florence-Muscle Shoals, AL Cooks, Short Order Salary$28,240↓ 5%84 mi

Comparing salaries near Tennessee

Hiring Cooks, Short Orders?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Short Order make in Tennessee?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Tennessee is $29,620. This typically ranges from $20,470 for entry-level positions to $39,480 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Tennessee is 16.9% lower than the national median of $35,650.

Is Tennessee a lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders?

No, Tennessee is not a particularly lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders compared to the national average.The average salary of $29,620 is notably lower than the national figure of $35,650. However, the lower cost of living does offer some mitigation to this difference.

Is Tennessee a good place to live for Cooks, Short Orders?

With a Cost of Living Index of 90.4 (lower than the national average of 100), your salary goes further here.

Where are the highest paying cities near Tennessee?

Some top paying nearby cities include Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN ($33,030) and Clarksville, TN-KY.

What is the average salary for a Short Order Cook in Tennessee?

The average annual salary for a Short Order Cook in Tennessee is $29,620.

How does Tennessee's cost of living compare to the national average?

Tennessee has a Cost of Living Index of 90.4, which is 9.6% lower than the national average of 100.

How many Short Order Cooks are there in Tennessee?

There are approximately 2,890 Short Order Cooks employed in Tennessee.

Is the job market for Short Order Cooks in Tennessee highly concentrated?

The job market for Short Order Cooks in Tennessee has a Location Quotient of 0.9, indicating a concentration slightly below the national average, suggesting a stable but not exceptionally high demand.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 2,890 employees in the Tennessee area with a job density of 0.882 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.

Semantic Salary Analysis for Cooks, Short Order • Data source: BLS OEWS 2024 •Jobs in Tennessee