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Chattanooga, TN-GA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA

In the Chattanooga, TN-GA metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $33,500 ($16.11/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $23,600/year and the 90th was $38,400/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Georgia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $28,174 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 91.5 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$33,500$16.11 per hour · $2,792 monthly
10th Percentile$23,600$11.35/hr base
25th Percentile$28,100$13.51/hr base
75th Percentile$35,800$17.21/hr base
90th Percentile$38,400$18.46/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $33,000 a year leaves after tax in GeorgiaFederal tax, FICA and Georgia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$16 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $33,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $33,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Georgia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Georgia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$33,500
$15,000$70,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$33,500
Net 84%
Fed 5%
GA 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$28,174After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,348Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,084Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.9%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$1,840 / yr
Georgia state income tax$923 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,563 / yr
Customize deductions in full Georgia calculator

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Chattanooga, TN-GA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Food Preparation Workers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (GA)
10th Percentile$11.35/hr$1,967$23,600$20,615
25th Percentile$13.51/hr$2,342$28,100$24,097
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,174
75th Percentile$17.21/hr$2,983$35,800$29,907
90th Percentile$18.46/hr$3,200$38,400$31,867

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Chattanooga, TN-GA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$33,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$72,161Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index91.58.5% below national average
Individual vs Household Ratio46.4%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Georgia:

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Food Preparation Workers pay in other Georgia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Chattanooga, TN-GA. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Chattanooga, TN-GA

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $33,500, which equates to approximately $2,792 per month or $16.11 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA is $16.11 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $11.35/hour and one in ten earned more than $18.46/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Chattanooga, TN-GA span from $23,600 at the 10th percentile to $28,100 at the 25th, $35,800 at the 75th, and $38,400 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

On a median gross salary of $33,500, an estimated $28,174 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,084 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Georgia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $5,326 (an effective rate of 15.9%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

On the median annual salary of $33,500, gross monthly income is $2,792. After federal, FICA, and Georgia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,348 per month (or $1,084 every two weeks).

Is $33,500 a good salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA?

At $33,500, the median salary for food preparation workers is 46.4% of the Chattanooga, TN-GA median household income ($72,161). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 91.5, making regional consumer goods and services 8.5% cheaper than the U.S. average.