📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Washington (2026)

Washington · 25.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$83,375
per year
Median
$78,088
per year
Hourly
$40.08
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$51,166
25th Percentile — Junior$66,331
50th Percentile — Median$78,088
75th Percentile — Senior$100,452
90th Percentile — Top Earners$113,344
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in Washington make up to $113,344 per year. The job market in Washington is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$71.9k
2021
$74.1k
2022
$76.3k
2023
$78.6k
2024
$80.9k
2025
$83.4k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in Washington have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Washington's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by City in Washington
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Seattle $115,057 +38.0% High
Spokane $83,375 +0.0% High
Tacoma $100,050 +20.0% High
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Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation

Washington is home to a very strong job market for Chefs and Head Cookss. The state's key industries — Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $83,375 per year, Washington's Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Washington (index: 1.25) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Washington can expect to earn $51,166–$66,331, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $100,452–$113,344.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in Washington is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology 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 Washington is $83,375 per year in 2026, which is 25.0% above the national average of $66,700.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chefs and Head Cookss the highest wages in Washington due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Washington has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture. This makes it one of the better states for Chefs and Head Cooks employment.
  • At $83,375/year, Washington Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average of $66,700/year.