Cashier Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Cashiers in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $28,440 a year — 14% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $25,030 take-home, or $2,086 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cashier salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,234
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,763
- Medicare (1.45%)$412
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$25,030
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cashier pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $21,490 | $10.33 | $19,307 | $1,609 |
| 25th percentile | $22,740 | $10.93 | $20,336 | $1,695 |
| Median (50th) | $28,440 | $13.67 | $25,030 | $2,086 |
| 75th percentile | $30,920 | $14.87 | $27,024 | $2,252 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $34,390 | $16.53 | $29,812 | $2,484 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,440 buys in Chattanooga, TN
Prices in Chattanooga, TN are 8.5% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 23% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cashier's $25,030 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,366 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cashier jobs are about as common in Chattanooga, TN as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for cashiers, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #103 of 202 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $44,210 | $37,703 | $33,926 |
| 2 | Rochester, MN | $34,960 | $29,219 | $32,172 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $42,960 | $35,432 | $32,088 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $33,420 | $29,033 | $31,950 |
| 5 | Kennewick, WA | $36,610 | $31,596 | $31,571 |
| 6 | Duluth, MN | $33,020 | $27,764 | $31,277 |
| 7 | Spokane, WA | $36,290 | $31,339 | $31,231 |
| 8 | St. Cloud, MN | $32,480 | $27,359 | $31,220 |
| 103 | Chattanooga, TN | $28,440 | $25,030 | $27,366 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 202 metros →
About the job: cashiers
Receive and disburse money in establishments other than financial institutions. May use electronic scanners, cash registers, or related equipment. May process credit or debit card transactions and validate checks.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -6.5% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cashier salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Kingsport, TN — $27,420
- Memphis, TN — $29,160
- Nashville, TN — $30,570
- Knoxville, TN — $29,110
- Clarksville, TN — $28,230
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cashier make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median cashier salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $28,440 a year, or about $13.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,740 and $30,920.
What is a cashier’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $28,440 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $25,030 a year ($2,086 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a cashier?
Pay here is 14% below the national median of $32,880. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,366 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #103 of 202 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cashier afford rent in Chattanooga, TN?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Chattanooga, TN is $1,263 a month ($1,390 for two bedrooms) — 61% of a median cashier’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Retail Salesperson — $31,460