How much does a cook make in Chattanooga?
$36,010a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $17.31 an hour or $3,001 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.31
- Vs. national median
- -4%
- Rank among cities
- 198 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,490
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $27,250Median: $36,010Highest 10%: $44,410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,250 | $13.10 | |
| 25th | $29,750 | $14.30 | |
| Median | $36,010 | $17.31 | |
| 75th | $37,710 | $18.13 | |
| 90th | $44,410 | $21.35 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Nashville, TN | $38,170 |
| Knoxville, TN | $36,520 |
| Memphis, TN | $36,340 |
| Morristown, TN | $35,670 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,490 |
| Cleveland, TN | $35,030 |
| Clarksville, TN | $34,840 |
| Johnson City, TN | $34,620 |
| Kingsport, TN | $34,600 |
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 | $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 cook make an hour in Chattanooga?
The median hourly pay in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $17.31 ($36,010 a year).
Do cooks make more in Chattanooga than the national average?
No: $36,010 against $37,390 nationally, 4% less.
How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,420, so Chattanooga pays 1% less.
Where does Chattanooga rank for cook pay?
198 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% make $27,250 or less a year; the top 10% make $44,410 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.