Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $63,690 a year ($30.62 an hour), based on BLS data for 280 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,340 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 9% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $69,810. There are 1.0 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.80). The average (mean) salary is $65,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,400 | $17.50 |
| 25th percentile | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| Median | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| 75th percentile | $76,940 | $36.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $96,340 | $46.32 |
| Average (mean) | $65,470 | $31.48 |
Half of chefs and head cooks 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 | $5,307.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,653.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,449.62 |
| Weekly | $1,224.81 |
| Hourly | $30.62 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $74,660 | 2,370 |
| Gainesville, GA | $70,780 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $70,420 | 1,780 |
| Jackson, TN | $69,280 | 60 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $68,070 | 230 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $67,530 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $66,230 | 540 |
| Dalton, GA | $66,090 | 40 |
| Savannah, GA | $63,700 | 260 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $62,920 | 90 |
| Knoxville, TN | $62,770 | 470 |
| Cleveland, TN | $62,180 | 30 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $61,600 | 90 |
| Morristown, TN | $61,290 | 30 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $60,880 | 100 |
| Johnson City, TN | $59,990 | 100 |
| Albany, GA | $59,540 | 40 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $55,360 | 100 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $50,330 | 60 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $50,080 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $27,140 | $13.05 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,240 | $11.66 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,010 | $17.31 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $30,300 | $14.57 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $27,750 | $13.34 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| 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 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $29,950 | $14.40 |
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 35-1011. 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 chefs and head cooks make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $63,690 a year, or $30.62 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $96,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $96,340 a year. The top 25% earn $76,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,400 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $48,880 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 280 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.