📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

District of Columbia · 52.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$101,384
per year
Median
$94,954
per year
Hourly
$48.74
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,218
25th Percentile — Junior$80,659
50th Percentile — Median$94,954
75th Percentile — Senior$122,150
90th Percentile — Top Earners$137,826
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in District of Columbia make up to $137,826 per year. The job market in District of Columbia is rated very strong, with key industries including Government, Finance, Technology.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$87.5k
2021
$90.1k
2022
$92.8k
2023
$95.6k
2024
$98.4k
2025
$101.4k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in District of Columbia have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in District of Columbia's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by City in District of Columbia
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Washington $154,104 +52.0% High
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Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation

District of Columbia is home to a very strong job market for Chefs and Head Cookss. The state's key industries — Government, Finance, Technology — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $101,384 per year, District of Columbia's Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in District of Columbia (index: 1.52) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in District of Columbia can expect to earn $62,218–$80,659, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $122,150–$137,826.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in District of Columbia is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Government continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in District of Columbia is $101,384 per year in 2026, which is 52.0% above the national average of $66,700.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chefs and Head Cookss the highest wages in District of Columbia due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • District of Columbia has a very strong job market with major industries in Government, Finance, Technology. This makes it one of the better states for Chefs and Head Cooks employment.
  • At $101,384/year, District of Columbia Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 52.0% higher than the national average of $66,700/year.