Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chattanooga, TN-GA

Median annual salary $52,990 -13.1% vs national
Median hourly $25.48
10th percentile $31,200
90th percentile $84,520
Employed locally 190
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,200
    25th
    $45,640
    50th (median)
    $52,990
    75th
    $69,680
    90th
    $84,520

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 77% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 23% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Nearby metros — Chefs and Head Cooks salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $63,810
    Cleveland, TN $62,180
    Morristown, TN $61,290
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $60,220
    Knoxville, TN $55,650
    Jackson, TN $51,400

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,160
    Waiters and Waitresses $26,210
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,220
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $36,820
    Food Preparation Workers $27,360
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,680

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $25.48, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $46.32 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 13.1% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $31,200 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $45,640.