Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $27,140 a year ($13.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,770 workers.
Pay ranges from $21,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,320 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 1% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $27,470. There are 29 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $26,950, close to the median.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,700 | $10.43 |
| 25th percentile | $23,100 | $11.10 |
| Median | $27,140 | $13.05 |
| 75th percentile | $28,580 | $13.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,320 | $16.50 |
| Average (mean) | $26,950 | $12.96 |
Half of fast food and counter 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 | $2,261.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,130.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,043.85 |
| Weekly | $521.92 |
| Hourly | $13.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $27,140 salary, see how much house you can afford in Tennessee at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $29,150 | 28,680 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $27,780 | 80,730 |
| Knoxville, TN | $27,720 | 12,730 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $27,490 | 15,320 |
| Savannah, GA | $27,460 | 5,710 |
| Clarksville, TN-KY | $26,990 | 4,000 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $26,890 | 4,170 |
| Rome, GA | $26,890 | 1,600 |
| Brunswick-St. Simons, GA | $26,770 | 1,620 |
| Gainesville, GA | $26,690 | 2,910 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $26,620 | 8,710 |
| Warner Robins, GA | $26,610 | 3,650 |
| Morristown, TN | $26,530 | 1,590 |
| Jackson, TN | $26,360 | 2,370 |
| Johnson City, TN | $26,270 | 2,900 |
| Cleveland, TN | $26,140 | 1,830 |
| Hinesville, GA | $25,210 | 1,030 |
| Macon-Bibb County, GA | $25,000 | 2,920 |
| Athens-Clarke County, GA | $24,220 | 3,490 |
| Dalton, GA | $23,400 | 1,530 |
| Columbus, GA-AL | $23,300 | 4,060 |
| Valdosta, GA | $23,100 | 2,380 |
| Albany, GA | $22,830 | 1,790 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $24,240 | $11.66 |
| Bartender | $25,650 | $12.33 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $30,740 | $14.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $39,220 | $18.85 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $63,690 | $30.62 |
| 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 35-3023. 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 fast food and counter workers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $27,140 a year, or $13.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $21,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $34,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $34,320 a year. The top 25% earn $28,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $21,700 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $23,100 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 7,770 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.