Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

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

Median annual salary $31,870 -12.6% vs national
Median hourly $15.32
10th percentile $27,800
90th percentile $38,990
Employed locally 930
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $27,800
    25th
    $29,840
    50th (median)
    $31,870
    75th
    $37,990
    90th
    $38,990

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 46% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 54% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $36,080
    Jackson, TN $32,010
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $31,600
    Knoxville, TN $31,050
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $30,330
    Clarksville, TN-KY $30,300

    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 Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $15.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $19.89 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 12.6% below the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $27,800 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $29,840.