Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $33,410 a year ($16.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 940 workers.
Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,380 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 6% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $35,570. There are 3.5 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $34,760, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $28,710 | $13.80 |
| 25th percentile | $30,820 | $14.82 |
| Median | $33,410 | $16.06 |
| 75th percentile | $40,120 | $19.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $41,380 | $19.89 |
| Average (mean) | $34,760 | $16.71 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria 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 | $2,784.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,392.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,285 |
| Weekly | $642.50 |
| Hourly | $16.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $33,410 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, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Gainesville, GA | $38,220 | 170 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $37,910 | 2,880 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $37,080 | 4,170 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $35,570 | 470 |
| Savannah, GA | $35,480 | 280 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $35,210 | 510 |
| Knoxville, TN | $35,150 | 970 |
| Jackson, TN | $35,110 | 510 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $34,970 | 430 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $33,960 | 130 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $33,530 | 100 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $33,170 | 1,530 |
| Cleveland, TN | $32,220 | 150 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $31,940 | 350 |
| Johnson City, TN | $31,330 | 440 |
| Rome, GA | $31,150 | 90 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $31,090 | 260 |
| Albany, GA | $30,430 | 140 |
| Morristown, TN | $30,080 | 130 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $30,050 | 80 |
| Valdosta, GA | $29,710 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria 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, Fast Food | $26,890 | $12.93 |
| 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 35-2012. 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, institution and cafeteria make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $33,410 a year, or $16.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $28,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $41,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $41,380 a year. The top 25% earn $40,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $28,710 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $30,820 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 940 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.