Restaurant Cook Salary in Memphis, TN
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the Memphis area earns $36,340 a year ($17.47 an hour), 3% below the U.S. median ($37,390) and about the same as the Tennessee median ($36,420). Half of the 4,800 restaurant cooks there earn between $30,460 and $38,930.
Median $36,340
10th: $27,03090th: $44,560
| Annual pay | Memphis area | Tennessee | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,030 | $27,910 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $30,460 | $30,610 | $34,010 |
| Median | $36,340 | $36,420 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $38,930 | $40,740 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $44,560 | $45,650 | $47,900 |
| Average | $35,500 | $36,530 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 4,800 | 28,220 | 1,409,890 |
Memphis, TN ranks 41st of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
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Check my payRestaurant cook pay in other cities
- Nashville, TN: $38,170
- Seattle, WA: $47,730
- San Jose, CA: $47,170
- San Diego, CA: $46,440
- San Francisco, CA: $46,030
- Boston, MA: $45,830
- Portland, OR: $45,200
- Los Angeles, CA: $44,460
- All cities
Similar jobs in Memphis, TN
- Food Preparation Worker: $27,290
- Fast Food Worker: $27,490
- Waiter: $24,550
- Food Service Supervisor: $39,620
- Bartender: $28,710
- All jobs in Memphis, TN
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.