Food Preparation Workers Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

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

Median annual salary $27,360 -20% vs national
Median hourly $13.15
10th percentile $23,050
90th percentile $37,560
Employed locally 2,030
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Chattanooga, TN-GA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $23,050
    25th
    $24,050
    50th (median)
    $27,360
    75th
    $33,540
    90th
    $37,560

    Chattanooga economic context

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

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $32,770
    Knoxville, TN $30,920
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,030
    Memphis, TN-MS-AR $27,430
    Morristown, TN $26,100
    Jackson, TN $25,950

    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
    Cooks, Fast Food $26,680
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $27,490

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $13.15, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $18.79 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 20% below the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $23,050 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $24,050.