How much does a cook make in Chattanooga?
$35,990a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area. That is $17.30 an hour or $2,999 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.30
- Vs. national median
- -5%
- Rank among cities
- 36 of 63
- Jobs in the area
- 110
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $21,850Median: $35,990Highest 10%: $38,280
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $21,850 | $10.50 | |
| 25th | $32,240 | $15.50 | |
| Median | $35,990 | $17.30 | |
| 75th | $37,820 | $18.18 | |
| 90th | $38,280 | $18.40 |
Other cities in Tennessee
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Memphis, TN | $38,950 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,120 |
| Nashville, TN | $33,220 |
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 | $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 $17.30 ($35,990 a year).
Do cooks make more in Chattanooga than the national average?
No: $35,990 against $37,690 nationally, 5% less.
How does Chattanooga compare with the rest of Tennessee?
The median in Tennessee is $36,440, so Chattanooga pays 1% less.
Where does Chattanooga rank for cook pay?
36 of 63 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Chattanooga?
The lowest-paid 10% make $21,850 or less a year; the top 10% make $38,280 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.