Food Preparation Worker salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Food Preparation Workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $30,300 a year ($14.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,780 workers.
Pay ranges from $22,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,070 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 6% higher than the Tennessee statewide median of $28,700. There are 6.6 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $30,900, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $22,430 | $10.78 |
| 25th percentile | $24,180 | $11.63 |
| Median | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| 75th percentile | $36,170 | $17.39 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $39,070 | $18.79 |
| Average (mean) | $30,900 | $14.86 |
Half of food preparation workers 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 | $2,525 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,262.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,165.38 |
| Weekly | $582.69 |
| Hourly | $14.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $30,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $36,090 | 17,060 |
| Gainesville, GA | $34,950 | 520 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $34,640 | 6,410 |
| Savannah, GA | $34,130 | 1,060 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $32,090 | 1,120 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $31,830 | 420 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,550 | 510 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $31,190 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $30,960 | 2,510 |
| Albany, GA | $30,740 | 370 |
| Hinesville, GA | $30,690 | 100 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $30,640 | 380 |
| Dalton, GA | $30,100 | 200 |
| Rome, GA | $29,450 | 240 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $29,030 | 830 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,020 | 340 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $28,020 | 930 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,290 | 3,530 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $27,030 | 790 |
| Morristown, TN | $27,020 | 280 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,970 | 580 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,850 | 800 |
| Cleveland, TN | $25,430 | 280 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker 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 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $30,300 a year, or $14.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $22,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $39,070 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $39,070 a year. The top 25% earn $36,170 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $22,430 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $24,180 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 1,780 food preparation workers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.