How much does a chef and head cook make in Chattanooga?
$63,690a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $30.62 an hour or $5,308 a month.
- Hourly
- $30.62
- Vs. national median
- +2%
- Rank among cities
- 84 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,400Median: $63,690Highest 10%: $96,340
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,400 | $17.50 | |
| 25th | $48,880 | $23.50 | |
| Median | $63,690 | $30.62 | |
| 75th | $76,940 | $36.99 | |
| 90th | $96,340 | $46.32 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $70,420 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 |
| Memphis, TN | $66,230 |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 |
| Clarksville, TN | $60,880 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 |
| Kingsport, TN | $55,360 |
Related jobs in Chattanooga
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $39,220 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $37,410 |
| Cook | $36,010 |
| Cook | $35,990 |
| Cook | $33,410 |
| Food Server | $30,740 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 |
| Cook | $29,950 |
| Dishwasher | $29,430 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $27,870 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Chattanooga?
The median hourly pay in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $30.62 ($63,690 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Chattanooga than the national average?
Yes: $63,690 against $62,470 nationally, 2% more.
How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $69,810, so Chattanooga pays 9% less.
Where does Chattanooga rank for chef and head cook pay?
84 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,400 or less a year; the top 10% make $96,340 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.