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Area Chef Salary in Tennessee

How much does an Area Chef make in Tennessee? As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for an Area Chef in Tennessee is $38,115 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $18.

However, an Area Chef's salary can vary significantly. Here's a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $46,871
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,393 to $42,698
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,005
Salary Factors Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Check out Area Chef Job Openings in Tennessee

Key Factors That Influence Area Chef Salaries

An Area Chef's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Area Chef Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of an Area Chef's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $35,918
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $36,200
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $36,765
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $37,606
  • Expert (over 8 years): $38,752
Job RoleYears of ExperienceAverage Salary
Entry Level Area Chef less than 1 year $35,918
Early Career Level Area Chef 1-2 years $36,200
Mid-Level Level Area Chef 2-4 years $36,765
Senior-Level Level Area Chef 5-8 years $37,606
Expert Level Area Chef over 8 years $38,752

How Do Area Chef Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Area Cheves. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $45,159.
  • California: $44,988.
  • Massachusetts: $44,388.

Top Paying Cities for Area Chef

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • Cornersville: $37,462
  • Lexington: $36,742
  • Iron City: $35,461

Area Chef Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Area Chef roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 50% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Software & Networking sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 30% above the average. In contrast, Area Chef positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Area Chef as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for an Area Chef

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals $49,549 $24.0 30%
Software & Networking $47,644 $23.0 25%
Construction $45,738 $22.0 20%
Energy & Utilities $43,832 $21.0 15%
Business Services $41,926 $20.0 10%

Area Chef Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how an Area Chef's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

  • Yearly
  • Monthly
  • Weekly
  • Hourly
  • Table View
Last Updated on September 01, 2026
$34,393
Average $38,115/year
$42,698
$2,866
Average $3,176/month
$3,558
$661
Average $733/week
$821
$17
Average $18/hour
$21
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $42,698 $3,558 $821 $21
Average $38,115 $3,176 $733 $18
25th Percentile $34,393 $2,866 $661 $17

Find Your Next Area Chef Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Area Chef job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

  • Aramark | OMAHA, NE

    Executive Chef

    Aramark | OMAHA, NE

    ARAMARK is seeking an Executive Chef for Florida State University to lead culinary operations, menu innovation, and kitchen teams in a high-volume campus d... more

    7 Days Ago

  • Marriott | SIERRA, NV

    Chef Tournant

    Marriott | SIERRA, NV

    As a Chef Tournant at Marriott in Food & Beverage Operations, you are a versatile culinary leader who rotates through key kitchen stations—supporting hot l... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ARAMARK | ALTUS, OK

    Executive Chef

    ARAMARK | ALTUS, OK

    ARAMARK is seeking an Executive Chef for Florida State University to lead culinary operations, menu innovation, and kitchen teams in a high-volume campus d... more

    7 Days Ago

  • ARAMARK | BETHANY, WV

    Sous Chef

    ARAMARK | BETHANY, WV

    As a Sous Chef with ARAMARK in Food & Beverage Operations, you support the Executive Chef in leading daily kitchen operations across diverse client locatio... more

    8 Days Ago

  • ARAMARK | WAKE ISLAND, HI

    Chef Manager

    ARAMARK | WAKE ISLAND, HI

    Aramark seeks a Chef Manager to lead campus dining at Hawaii Pacific University. You will oversee daily kitchen and front-of-house operations, ensuring exc... more

    9 Days Ago

  • Aramark | NEWARK, DE

    Sous Chef

    Aramark | NEWARK, DE

    As a Sous Chef with ARAMARK in Food & Beverage Operations, you support the Executive Chef in leading daily kitchen operations across diverse client locatio... more

    9 Days Ago

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

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