Cooks, All Other pay range in Memphis
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,050 a year or less, while the top 10% make $38,950 or more. The middle half of other cooks in Memphis earn between $37,910 and $38,950.
- $33K10th
- $38K25th
- $39KMedian
- $39K75th
- $39K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $37,720 | $3,143 | $18.13 |
| Median | $38,950 | $3,246 | $18.73 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $37,910 | $3,159 | $18.23 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $38,950 | $3,246 | $18.73 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Cooks, All Other pay in Memphis vs. Tennessee and the U.S.
Other cooks in Memphis earn 11% more than the Tennessee average ($33,970) and 4% less than the U.S. average ($39,150). At the median the gap is +3% against the U.S. median of $37,690.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Memphis | $37,720 | $38,950 | $33,050 | $38,950 | n/a |
| Tennessee | $33,970 | $36,440 | $22,030 | $38,950 | 2,060 |
| United States | $39,150 | $37,690 | $27,040 | $51,140 | 19,350 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Cooks, All Other salary after taxes in Memphis
On the average salary of $37,720, a single filer in Memphis takes home about $32,488 a year, or $2,707 a month and $1,250 every two weeks. Taxes take 14% of gross pay.
The Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in TN | $32,488 | $2,707 |
| Working in MS | $31,711 | $2,643 |
| Working in AR | $31,580 | $2,632 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
Is Memphis a good place for other cooks? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Memphis area are 8% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 92.2), so the average $37,720 buys what about $40,920 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 0.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Memphis ($46,890). A typical home costs $247,229, or 6.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Cooks, All Other salary in other Tennessee cities
Memphis ranks 1st of 6 Tennessee metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Memphis$37,720
- Chattanooga$34,230
- Knoxville$32,220
- Clarksville$32,100
- Nashville$31,930
- Cleveland$26,840
Highest-paying cities for other cooks
Burlington, VT pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($54,270).
- Burlington, VT$54,270
- Seattle, WA$53,780
- Las Vegas, NV$50,820
- Syracuse, NY$50,610
- San Jose, CA$48,760
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Cooks, All Other salary in Memphis: questions
How much do other cooks make an hour in Memphis?
$18.13 an hour on average, and $18.73 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level other cooks salary in Memphis?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $33,050 a year and the 25th percentile is $37,910, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the other cooks take-home pay in Memphis?
About $32,488 a year ($2,707 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $37,720. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Do other cooks earn more in Memphis than elsewhere?
The average here is 4% less than the U.S. average for this job ($39,150).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-2019; area Memphis, TN-MS-AR (32820). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.0%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and no state income tax.
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