Chief Executive Salary in Chattanooga, TN
Chief Executives in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median $209,990 a year — 2% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $156,285 take-home, or $13,024 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chief executive salary in Chattanooga, TN. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$39,132
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$3,135
- Tennessee income tax$0
- Take-home pay$156,285
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
The Chattanooga, TN-GA metro spans Tennessee, Georgia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Chief Executive pay by experience in Chattanooga, TN
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,220 | $32.80 | $56,823 | $4,735 |
| 25th percentile | $114,940 | $55.26 | $89,690 | $7,474 |
| Median (50th) | $209,990 | $100.96 | $156,285 | $13,024 |
| 75th percentile | $451,980+ | $217.30 | $310,392 | $25,866 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $481,650+ | $231.56 | $328,980 | $27,415 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Tennessee resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $209,990 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 chief executive's $156,285 take-home pay has the buying power of $170,870 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chattanooga, TN has 1.3× the national concentration of chief executive jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chief executives, adjusted for cost of living
Chattanooga, TN ranks #21 of 55 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $239,200+ | $259,032 | $233,083 |
| 2 | Bridgeport, CT | $239,200+ | $247,855 | $231,935 |
| 3 | Charlotte, NC | $239,200+ | $220,744 | $226,758 |
| 4 | Dallas, TX | $239,200+ | $227,744 | $220,918 |
| 5 | Chicago, IL | $239,200+ | $226,413 | $218,556 |
| 6 | Richmond, VA | $239,200+ | $213,626 | $218,302 |
| 7 | Des Moines, IA | $239,200+ | $199,056 | $217,070 |
| 8 | Portland, OR | $239,200+ | $227,767 | $216,055 |
| 21 | Chattanooga, TN | $209,990 | $156,285 | $170,870 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 55 metros →
Chief Executive salaries elsewhere in Tennessee
- Nashville, TN — $218,190
- Knoxville, TN — $198,890
- Memphis, TN — $196,680
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chief executive make in Chattanooga, TN?
The median chief executive salary in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $209,990 a year, or about $100.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $114,940 and $239,200+.
What is a chief executive’s take-home pay in Chattanooga, TN?
On the median $209,990 salary, a single filer living in Tennessee takes home about $156,285 a year ($13,024 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Chattanooga, TN a good place to work as a chief executive?
Pay here is 2% below the national median of $213,990. Local prices are 8.5% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $170,870 would in a typical U.S. city. Chattanooga, TN ranks #21 of 55 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chief executive 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) — 10% of a median chief executive’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN
- Computer and Information Systems Manager — $152,980
- Financial Manager — $151,530
- Administrative Services Manager — $130,540
- Marketing Manager — $124,360
- Industrial Production Manager — $121,670
- Sales Manager — $118,720
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary — $104,690
- General and Operations Manager — $102,920
- Medical and Health Services Manager — $102,920
- Managers, All Other — $91,300
- Food Service Manager — $63,720