Restaurant cook salary in Tennessee after taxes
The median restaurant cook in Tennessee earns $36,420 a year ($17.51 an hour). After 2026 taxes, that's about $31,443 a year, or $1,209.36 every two weeks.
Take-home pay at each pay level
| Pay level | Gross / year | Take-home / year | Per month | Every 2 weeks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $27,910 | $24,594 | $2,049 | $945.92 |
| 25th percentile | $30,610 | $26,775 | $2,231 | $1,029.81 |
| Median | $36,420 | $31,443 | $2,620 | $1,209.36 |
| 75th percentile | $40,740 | $34,915 | $2,910 | $1,342.87 |
| 90th percentile | $45,650 | $38,860 | $3,238 | $1,494.61 |
The 10th percentile means 10% of restaurant cooks in Tennessee earn less than this. New hires usually start near the 10th–25th percentile.
Your exact paycheck
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Restaurant cook take-home pay in other states
Tennessee ranks #11 of 20 of the states we cover for median restaurant cook take-home pay.
| State | Median gross | Take-home / year |
|---|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 | $39,135 |
| California | $44,880 | $36,802 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 | $36,650 |
| New York | $43,680 | $35,262 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 | $34,481 |
| Alaska | $40,140 | $34,432 |
| Nevada | $38,610 | $33,203 |
| New Jersey | $38,460 | $32,062 |
| Florida | $37,020 | $31,926 |
| Wyoming | $36,830 | $31,773 |
| Tennessee | $36,420 | $31,443 |
| South Dakota | $36,220 | $31,283 |
| Illinois | $37,580 | $30,660 |
| Michigan | $36,980 | $30,573 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 | $30,449 |
| Virginia | $36,750 | $30,410 |
| Texas | $34,760 | $30,110 |
| Ohio | $35,540 | $30,055 |
| Georgia | $35,940 | $30,013 |
| North Carolina | $35,400 | $29,688 |
Questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Tennessee after taxes?
The median restaurant cook in Tennessee earns $36,420 a year ($17.51 an hour) before tax, according to BLS data for May 2025. After 2026 federal taxes that's about $31,443 a year, $2,620 a month or $1,209.36 every two weeks for a single filer with no pre-tax deductions.
How many restaurant cooks work in Tennessee?
About 28,220, according to the BLS May 2025 estimates.
Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, statewide, all industries. BLS wages include tips and commissions, not overtime premiums or benefits. Take-home uses 2026 tax rules for a single filer paid every two weeks with W-4 defaults and no pre-tax deductions.
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (state data)
- IRS Publication 15-T (2026), Worksheet 1A and Annual Percentage Method tables
- SSA: 2026 Social Security wage base ($184,500)
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