How to Become a Pastry Chef in Tennessee (2026)
Tennessee employs about 5,200 pastry chefs earning a median $34,440 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025; proxy category “Bakers”). Most pastry chefs train through an approved program before entering the field in Tennessee.
Compare Pastry Chef Schools in Tennessee
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Kentucky Community and Technical College | 56.9 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $43,110 | 50% | Yes* | 118 mi |
| 2 | Northeast Mississippi Community College | 56.6 | $4,470 in-state / $7,710 out-of-state | $43,163 | 34% | Yes* | 104 mi |
| 3 | Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College | 56.0 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $41,507 | 58% | Yes* | 97 mi |
| 4 | Madisonville Community College | 55.9 | $4,728 in-state / $6,432 out-of-state | $54,485 | 49% | Yes* | 112 mi |
| 5 | George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville | 52.6 | $5,220 in-state / $9,090 out-of-state | $50,276 | 51% | Yes* | 119 mi |
| 6 | Nashville State Community College | 39.5 | $4,730 in-state / $17,714 out-of-state | $48,592 | 18% | Yes* | 36 mi |
| 7 | J. F. Drake State Community and Technical College | 28.9 | $5,190 in-state / $9,060 out-of-state | $52,160 | 14% | — | 79 mi |
Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Tennessee employs approximately 5,200 workers in the related “Bakers” category (SOC 51-3011), with a median annual wage of $34,440 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 39,900 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pastry Chef in Tennessee, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
A note on salary data: The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pastry chef salaries as a separate category. The wage figures on this page are based on the closest matching BLS classification: Bakers (SOC 51-3011). Actual pastry chef earnings may vary.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school or community college
- Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
- Median wage (Tennessee): $34,440 per year (based on related “Bakers” category) 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Pastry Chef in Tennessee
How to become a Pastry Chef in Tennessee? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pastry chefs in Tennessee.
How long does it take? pastry chef training length in Tennessee varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.
What do pastry chefs earn in Tennessee? The BLS does not track pastry chef wages separately. Based on the related “Bakers” category, the median annual wage in Tennessee is $34,440, with entry-level wages around $22,380 and experienced workers earning $46,400 or more 1.
How to Become a Pastry Chef in Tennessee
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Tennessee training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved pastry chef program in Tennessee that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
- Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to pastry chefs in Tennessee before you start working.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Pastry Chef Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
Chefs and Head Cooks Wages by Metro Area in Tennessee
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), chefs and head cooks wages in Tennessee vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin | 13,870 | $41,917 | $43,222 | $32,122 | $54,622 |
| Memphis | 5,980 | $38,724 | $38,225 | $27,992 | $48,844 |
| Knoxville | 4,900 | $38,461 | $38,574 | $28,598 | $50,331 |
| Chattanooga | 3,560 | $39,268 | $38,342 | $26,847 | $50,791 |
| Kingsport-Bristol | 1,300 | $35,297 | $35,009 | $26,481 | $44,662 |
| Clarksville | 1,120 | $36,709 | $35,846 | $24,323 | $44,063 |
| Johnson City | 1,080 | $36,247 | $35,314 | $26,076 | $46,219 |
| Jackson | 680 | $38,307 | $37,513 | $27,510 | $49,094 |
| Cleveland | 520 | $34,978 | $34,778 | $26,527 | $44,182 |
| Morristown | 420 | $36,367 | $35,405 | $25,591 | $45,499 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for pastry chefs in Tennessee? Tennessee employs approximately 5,200 workers in the related “Bakers” category 1. Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 5.6% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Tennessee? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Tennessee.
How much do pastry chefs earn in Tennessee compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pastry chefs in Tennessee is $34,440 (based on the related “Bakers” category), which is $2,210 below the national median of $36,650 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |