How Much Does a Chef and Head Cook Make in Tennessee (TN) in 2026? (Hourly & After-Tax Salary)
Median Annual & Hourly Wage in Tennessee (TN)
$55,310/yr ($26.59/hr · $46,480 After-Tax)
Entry-Level (25th Pct)$43,140 ($20.74/hr)
Experienced (90th Pct)$74,670 ($35.90/hr)
Bi-Weekly Net Paycheck$1,787.70
Overtime Rate (1.5x)$39.88/hr
Gross vs. Net After-Tax Pay by Experience Level (2026)
| Level | Hourly | Gross Annual | Federal + FICA + State Tax | Net Take-Home | Bi-Weekly Net |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $20.74/hr | $43,140 | −$6,438.51 | $36,701.49 | $1,411.60 |
| Median (Mid-Career) | $26.59/hr | $55,310 | −$8,829.92 | $46,480.08 | $1,787.70 |
| Senior / Top 10% | $35.90/hr | $74,670 | −$13,753.66 | $60,916.34 | $2,342.94 |
Compare Wage Across All 50 U.S. States
Texas ($28.32/hr)California ($34.10/hr)Florida ($27.45/hr)New York ($33.52/hr)Illinois ($29.77/hr)Arizona ($28.03/hr)New Jersey ($32.37/hr)Georgia ($27.74/hr)North Carolina ($27.45/hr)Washington ($33.23/hr)Pennsylvania ($28.61/hr)Ohio ($27.17/hr)Nevada ($28.32/hr)Colorado ($30.63/hr)Virginia ($30.34/hr)Massachusetts ($33.81/hr)Michigan ($27.74/hr)Tennessee ($26.59/hr)Indiana ($26.88/hr)Maryland ($31.21/hr)Minnesota ($30.06/hr)Missouri ($26.59/hr)Wisconsin ($28.03/hr)Oregon ($30.34/hr)Connecticut ($32.08/hr)Utah ($28.03/hr)South Carolina ($26.30/hr)Alabama ($25.43/hr)Louisiana ($25.72/hr)Kentucky ($25.72/hr)Oklahoma ($25.72/hr)Kansas ($26.59/hr)Iowa ($26.88/hr)New Mexico ($26.59/hr)Arkansas ($25.14/hr)Mississippi ($24.56/hr)Nebraska ($27.17/hr)Idaho ($26.88/hr)Hawaii ($31.21/hr)New Hampshire ($29.77/hr)Maine ($27.45/hr)Rhode Island ($29.48/hr)Montana ($26.59/hr)Delaware ($29.19/hr)South Dakota ($26.30/hr)North Dakota ($27.45/hr)Alaska ($31.50/hr)Vermont ($28.32/hr)West Virginia ($24.85/hr)Wyoming ($27.45/hr)