Restaurant job wages are on the rise in Nashville, thanks to the tight labor market. Average wages for cooks and chefs in the Nashville-Murfreesboro-Franklin area are rising more sharply than the average wage increase for all occupations, Bureau of Labor Statistics figures show.

Salaries, wages and benefits for culinary school graduates vary greatly depending on what type of company a new culinarian works for, the size and volume of operation, the candidate’s experience and many other factors. People with a culinary degree will generally not start out in

“Some start out at $18 an hour with full benefits with a chain company,” says Tom Gaddis, program coordinator of Pellissippi State’s culinary arts program. “Those that go to high-end restaurants may start a little lower and work their way up.”

Culinary jobs are found in many other settings besides restaurants, bars and hotels. Hospitals, assisted living facilities, universities and large entertainment venues such as stadiums and arenas serve many customers, with the added benefit of more predictable schedules and diner volume.

Average salaries are calculated from earnings reported by workers anonymously on GlassDoor.com, a source of salary information and job postings.

Line cook

Average salary: $27,821

Experience: Entry-level.

Duties: Prepares ingredients, assembles dishes and mans a station during a shift. It is intensive kitchen work with relatively low starting pay, but good line cooks are a critical part of every restaurant and are in high demand.

Who’s hiring? Jobs were recently posted at Edley’s Bar-B-Que, Magliano’s, Dave & Buster’s, The Cheesecake Factory, O’Charley’s, Old Chicago, Red Lobster, City Winery, Applebee’s, LongHorn Steakhouse, Olive Garden, Joe’s Crab Shack and many others.

Sous chef

Nashville average salary: $40,598

Experience: Typically requires at least five years experience.

Duties: The position assists the top chef in the kitchen and may fulfill many of their duties.

What do employers pay a sous chef?

• Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center $50,455

• Aramark $40,000 to $44,000

• Omni Hotels $42,000 to $46,000

• Maggiano’s $46,181 to $57,488

• P.F. Chang’s $35,798 to $54,094

Who’s hiring? Sous chef jobs were recently posted at Maggiano’s, The Westin Nashville, Barteca Restaurant Group, City Winery, Kona Grill, the Hutton Hotel, Rainforest Cafe, Nissan Stadium/Aramark, Del Friscos Grille, Moto, Virago, P.F. Chang’s and many others.

Chef de cuisine

Duties: Responsible for all culinary operations and has typically worked every other cooking position, with corresponding years of experience. The chef de cuisine may also be the executive chef.

Who’s hiring? Chef de cuisine jobs were recently posted at Kitchen Notes at the Omni Hotel, Hilton Nashville Downtown and Turnery Associates, which is bringing a JW Marriott Nashville hotel and condominium project to downtown.

Executive chef

Experience: Typically requires a culinary degree and/or substantial restaurant or foodservice experience and management.

Duties: Executive chefs in large operations generally do not cook but oversee personnel, menu selection, budgeting, ordering and the like. In smaller operations, the title may be interchangeable with chef de cuisine.

What do employers pay an executive chef?

• Hard Rock International $52,000 to $55,000

• Buca di Beppo $57,000 to $62,000

• Hospital Corporation of America $56,000 to $64,000

• Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants $61,000 to $94,000

Who’s hiring? Jobs were recently posted at the Hutton Hotel, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Centennial Medical Center, Barteca Restaurant Group, Sodexo Corporate Services and Fisk University.