Cooks, Fast Food salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Cooks, Fast Food in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $26,890 a year ($12.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $18,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,420 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 5% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,330. There are 3.5 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $26,840, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,980 | $9.13 |
| 25th percentile | $21,420 | $10.30 |
| Median | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| 75th percentile | $29,070 | $13.98 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,420 | $17.03 |
| Average (mean) | $26,840 | $12.91 |
Half of cooks, fast food earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $2,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,120.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,034.23 |
| Weekly | $517.12 |
| Hourly | $12.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $26,890 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,210 | 4,840 |
| Gainesville, GA | $27,890 | 290 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,580 | 2,120 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,310 | 240 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,230 | 2,270 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $26,940 | 7,100 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,930 | 720 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $26,920 | 280 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,780 | 880 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $26,750 | 180 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $26,560 | 790 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,430 | 400 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,430 | 570 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,420 | 910 |
| Valdosta, GA | $23,640 | 270 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $23,140 | 380 |
| Albany, GA | $22,550 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,950 | $14.40 |
| Cooks, All Other | $35,990 | $17.30 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,140 | $13.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,240 | $11.66 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Bartender | $25,650 | $12.33 |
| Dishwasher | $29,430 | $14.15 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $27,870 | $13.40 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $37,410 | $17.99 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,740 | $14.78 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, fast food make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $26,890 a year, or $12.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $18,980 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $35,420 a year. The top 25% earn $29,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $18,980 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $21,420 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 940 cooks, fast food are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.