Fast Food and Counter Workers Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

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

Median annual salary $27,160 -10.9% vs national
Median hourly $13.06
10th percentile $21,640
90th percentile $33,650
Employed locally 7,330
National median $30,480

Compare Fast Food and Counter Workers salary & buying power

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Fast Food and Counter Workers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $21,640
    25th
    $22,800
    50th (median)
    $27,160
    75th
    $28,970
    90th
    $33,650

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Fast Food and Counter Workers salary vs area income 40% Median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary is 60% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Fast Food and Counter Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $42,660
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $40,470
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $38,310
    Napa, CA $38,270
    District of Columbia $38,240
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $38,090

    Nearby metros — Fast Food and Counter Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $29,460
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $27,730
    Knoxville, TN $27,680
    Clarksville, TN-KY $27,270
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $26,840
    Morristown, TN $26,760

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    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
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Fast Food and Counter Workers make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $13.06, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $16.50 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries?

    The median Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 10.9% below the national median of $30,480. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Fast Food and Counter Workers in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Fast Food and Counter Workers (10th percentile) earn around $21,640 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $22,800.