Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in District of Columbia
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$56,570
- 25th Percentile — Junior$63,550
- 50th Percentile — Median$76,420
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$104,660
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia earn more than $76,420. The top 10% make $104,660 or more, while entry-level workers start around $56,570.
Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $79,660 per year (19.4% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 2,020 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia — 1.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 2.23: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in District of Columbia than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $56,570; the top 10% earn over $104,660.
- Hourly equivalent: $38.3 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in District of Columbia, Waiters and Waitresses pays the most ($59,510).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in District of Columbia
Key factors affecting compensation
District of Columbia's key industries are Government, Finance, Technology, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $79,660 on average, placing the state 3rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.52 (U.S. = 1.00), a District of Columbia salary of $79,660 is roughly equivalent to $52,408 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($84,860), Hawaii ($80,720), New York ($74,840) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in District of Columbia
Related career salary benchmarks
- Waiters and Waitresses $59,510/yr District of Columbia 25.3% vs this role
- Bartenders $59,210/yr District of Columbia 25.7% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $57,770/yr District of Columbia 27.5% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $45,850/yr District of Columbia 42.4% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $45,570/yr District of Columbia 42.8% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $45,560/yr District of Columbia 42.8% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $43,710/yr District of Columbia 45.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $39,840/yr District of Columbia 50.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in District of Columbia?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in District of Columbia is $79,660 per year (median $76,420), which is 19.4% above the national average of $66,700.
How does District of Columbia rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in District of Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia earn about $56,570 per year and the 25th percentile is $63,550.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in District of Columbia?
About $38.3 per hour, based on the $79,660 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in District of Columbia?
BLS counts 2,020 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in District of Columbia (OEWS May 2025).
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