Chefs and Head Cooks pay range in Washington
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,110 a year or less, while the top 10% make $102,870 or more. The middle half of chefs and head cooks in Washington earn between $59,930 and $80,060.
- $43K10th
- $60K25th
- $75KMedian
- $80K75th
- $103K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $74,250 | $6,188 | $35.70 |
| Median | $74,900 | $6,242 | $36.01 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $59,930 | $4,994 | $28.81 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $80,060 | $6,672 | $38.49 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Washington vs. Washington, D.C. and the U.S.
Chefs and head cooks in Washington earn 7% less than the Washington, D.C. average ($79,660) and 11% more than the U.S. average ($66,700). At the median the gap is +20% against the U.S. median of $62,470.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $74,250 | $74,900 | $43,110 | $102,870 | 4,680 |
| Washington, D.C. | $79,660 | $76,420 | $56,570 | $104,660 | 2,020 |
| United States | $66,700 | $62,470 | $37,900 | $98,560 | 200,040 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary after taxes in Washington
On the average salary of $74,250, a single filer in Washington takes home about $57,685 a year, or $4,807 a month and $2,219 every two weeks. Taxes take 22% of gross pay.
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WV | $58,553 | $4,879 |
| Working in MD | $57,750 | $4,812 |
| Working in DC | $57,685 | $4,807 |
| Working in VA | $57,610 | $4,801 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Washington a good place for chefs and head cooks? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Washington area are 9% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 108.9), so the average $74,250 buys what about $68,192 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.1 times the median wage of all jobs in Washington ($71,060). A typical home costs $583,013, or 7.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in nearby metro areas
- Hagerstown, MD$61,280
- Baltimore, MD$63,640
- Winchester, VA$57,250
- Lexington Park, MD$58,750
- Gettysburg, PA$56,660
- Chambersburg, PA$59,230
Highest-paying cities for chefs and head cooks
Kahului, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($91,380).
- Kahului, HI$91,380
- Napa, CA$83,750
- San Jose, CA$80,150
- Albany, NY$79,500
- Providence, RI$79,440
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Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Washington: questions
How much do chefs and head cooks make an hour in Washington?
$35.70 an hour on average, and $36.01 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level chefs and head cooks salary in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $43,110 a year and the 25th percentile is $59,930, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the chefs and head cooks take-home pay in Washington?
About $57,685 a year ($4,807 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $74,250.
Do chefs and head cooks earn more in Washington than elsewhere?
The average here is 11% more than the U.S. average for this job ($66,700).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 35-1011; area Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV (47900). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 2.1%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.16, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
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