salary$36,520 a year$18 an hour · median pay in the Knoxville, TN area
Lower pay (bottom 10%)$27,860per year
Top pay (top 10%)$45,220per year
Jobs in the area3,820people work this job
Can a restaurant cook afford Knoxville?
Expensive. Rent of $1,544 a month takes 50.7% of the median restaurant cook salary. That is over the 30% rule, so many people in this job share housing or need a second income.
Restaurant Cook pay in similar cities
Other jobs in Knoxville
Registered NurseNurse PractitionerLicensed Practical NurseNursing AssistantMedical AssistantPharmacistPhysician AssistantDental HygienistElementary School TeacherSoftware DeveloperComputer Systems AnalystAccountantMarket Research AnalystOperations Manager
Frequently asked questions
How much does a restaurant cook make in Knoxville, TN?
The median pay for a restaurant cook in the Knoxville, TN area is $36,520 a year ($18 an hour). Most earn between $27,860 and $45,220.
Can a restaurant cook afford to live in Knoxville?
Typical rent of $1,544 a month takes 50.7% of the median restaurant cook salary, which we rate Expensive.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for the Knoxville, TN metro area.