Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

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

Median annual salary $26,210 -22.4% vs national
Median hourly $12.60
10th percentile $15,080
90th percentile $46,560
Employed locally 4,920
National median $33,760

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Waiters and Waitresses
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $15,080
    25th
    $17,990
    50th (median)
    $26,210
    75th
    $36,990
    90th
    $46,560

    Chattanooga economic context

    Unemployment rate 3.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $68,666 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 38% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 62% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN $30,300
    Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA $28,100
    Knoxville, TN $28,100
    Morristown, TN $27,610
    Johnson City, TN $27,050
    Clarksville, TN-KY $25,970

    Related occupations in Chattanooga, TN-GA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $27,160
    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 Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Chattanooga?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $12.60, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.58 or more per hour.

    Is Chattanooga above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 22.4% below the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Chattanooga?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $15,080 per year in Chattanooga, TN-GA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $17,990.