Chef Salary in Tennessee (2026)
$33.56 per hour · take-home ≈ $57,941/year ($4,828/month) for a single filer
Tennessee ranks 10th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 10% above the national average. Of the 3,820 Chef jobs BLS counts in Tennessee, the typical worker earns $69,810 a year — though pay ranges from $45,410 for newcomers to $98,860 at the top.
Chef pay range in Tennessee
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $45,410 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $57,470 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $69,810 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,900 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $98,860 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,820 Chef jobs in Tennessee (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Tennessee
A median Chef salary of $69,810 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Tennessee), a single filer keeps about $57,941 — an effective tax rate of 17.0%.
| Gross (median) | $69,810 |
| Federal income tax | −$6,528 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,340 |
| Tennessee state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $57,941 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,828 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Tennessee paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Tennessee?
- The median Chef salary in Tennessee is $69,810 per year ($33.56 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $57,470 and $81,900.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Tennessee?
- On the median salary of $69,810, a single filer in Tennessee takes home about $57,941 per year ($4,828 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 17.0%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Tennessee?
- BLS counts 3,820 Chef jobs in Tennessee in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Tennessee
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Tennessee state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Tennessee.