How much does a cook make in Chattanooga?
$33,410a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $16.06 an hour or $2,784 a month.
- Hourly
- $16.06
- Vs. national median
- -11%
- Rank among cities
- 310 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 940
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $28,710Median: $33,410Highest 10%: $41,380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $28,710 | $13.80 | |
| 25th | $30,820 | $14.82 | |
| Median | $33,410 | $16.06 | |
| 75th | $40,120 | $19.29 | |
| 90th | $41,380 | $19.89 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $37,910 |
| Clarksville, TN | $35,570 |
| Kingsport, TN | $35,210 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 |
| Memphis, TN | $33,170 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 |
Related jobs in Chattanooga
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $63,690 |
| 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 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Chattanooga?
The median hourly pay in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $16.06 ($33,410 a year).
Do cooks make more in Chattanooga than the national average?
No: $33,410 against $37,450 nationally, 11% less.
How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $35,570, so Chattanooga pays 6% less.
Where does Chattanooga rank for cook pay?
310 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% make $28,710 or less a year; the top 10% make $41,380 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.