SalaryNode

Average Cooks, Short Order Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

Cooks, Short Order in Chattanooga, TN-GA earn an average annual salary of $26,990, which is notably below the national average of $35,650. This disparity is often influenced by regional economic factors, the specific demand within the local hospitality sector, and the overall cost of labor in the area.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $26,990 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 6.7% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $35,890.
  • Outlook: With a total local workforce of 260 Cooks, Short Order and a Location Quotient of 0.99, the job market in Chattanooga is closely aligned with the national average in terms of concentration. This suggests a stable, albeit not rapidly expanding, demand for these roles within the region.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$26,990

The average Cooks, Short Order in Chattanooga, TN-GA earns-24.3%below the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$13

Weekly

$519

Monthly

$2,249

Cooks, Short Order Salary Distribution in Chattanooga, TN-GA

Salary progression for Cooks, Short Order typically correlates with experience. Entry-level positions often start at the lower end of the pay scale, while seasoned professionals with specialized skills or supervisory responsibilities can command significantly higher salaries, reflected in the upper percentiles.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
Commis ChefPrep work, learning stations, basic knife skills.10% (Entry)$18,990$9.1
Chef de PartieStation chef (Grill, Sauté). Runs a section.25% (Junior)$20,243$9.7
Sous ChefSecond in command. Managing staff & inventory.50% (Median)$27,230$13.1
Executive ChefMenu creation, costing, kitchen management.75% (Senior)$33,738$16.2
Chef OwnerRestaurateur. Multi-venue operations.90% (Expert)$35,890$17.3

Detailed Cooks, Short Order Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$26,990

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$26,990

Adjusted for COL (100)

The average annual salary of $26,990 in Chattanooga aligns perfectly with the national average Cost of Living Index of 100. This means that while the nominal salary is lower than the national average, the purchasing power of that salary locally is on par with the national average, making it neither exceptionally advantageous nor disadvantageous from a cost-of-living perspective.

Job Market Context

260

Total Jobs

0.963

Per 1K Jobs

0.99

Location Quotient

Below Average

Chattanooga, TN-GA has 0.99x the national average concentration of Cooks, Short Order jobs. This means there are fewer opportunities per capita here compared to the U.S. average — competition for roles may be higher.

A Location Quotient of 0.99 indicates that the concentration of Cooks, Short Order jobs in Chattanooga is virtually identical to the national average. This suggests a balanced job market where the number of available positions is proportionate to the number of workers in the field, implying moderate competition.

Nearby Job Markets

Nearby Cities for Cooks, Short Order

Comparing salaries near Chattanooga, TN-GA

Hiring Cooks, Short Orders?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Cooks, Short Order make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

The median annual salary for a Cooks, Short Order in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $26,990. This typically ranges from $18,990 for entry-level positions to $35,890 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 24.3% lower than the national median of $35,650.

Is Chattanooga, TN-GA a lucrative place for Cooks, Short Orders?

No, not particularly lucrative compared to the national average.The average salary of $26,990 is significantly lower than the national average of $35,650. However, the cost of living is also at the national average, mitigating some of the impact of the lower wage.

Is Chattanooga, TN-GA a good place to live for Cooks, Short Orders?

The Cost of Living Index in Chattanooga, TN-GA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Chattanooga, TN-GA?

Some top paying nearby cities include Cleveland, TN ($24,690) and Huntsville, AL.

How does Chattanooga's Cook, Short Order salary compare to the national average?

Cooks, Short Order in Chattanooga earn approximately $8,660 less per year than the national average, with an average salary of $26,990 compared to $35,650 nationally.

What is the job concentration for Cooks, Short Order in Chattanooga?

The job concentration, measured by the Location Quotient, is 0.99, which is very close to the national average of 1.0, indicating a similar level of industry presence.

How does the cost of living in Chattanooga affect the salary?

Chattanooga's Cost of Living Index is 100, matching the national average. This means the lower nominal salary of $26,990 has the same relative purchasing power as the national average salary in other parts of the country.

What is the total number of Cooks, Short Order jobs in Chattanooga?

There are approximately 260 Cooks, Short Order employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA area.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 260 employees in the Chattanooga, TN-GA area with a job density of 0.963 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.