Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Washington
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$49,920
- 25th Percentile — Junior$58,650
- 50th Percentile — Median$76,010
- 75th Percentile — Senior$81,540
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$95,990
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington earn more than $76,010. The top 10% make $95,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $49,920.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Washington ranks 5th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $74,670 per year (11.9% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 5,320 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington — 2.7% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.16: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Washington than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $49,920; the top 10% earn over $95,990.
- Hourly equivalent: $35.9 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Washington, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($61,990).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Washington
Key factors affecting compensation
Washington's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Agriculture, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $74,670 on average, placing the state 5th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.25 (U.S. = 1.00), a Washington salary of $74,670 is roughly equivalent to $59,736 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Rhode Island ($84,860), Hawaii ($80,720), District of Columbia ($79,660) 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 Washington
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $61,990/yr Washington 17.0% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $60,590/yr Washington 18.9% vs this role
- Bartenders $60,010/yr Washington 19.6% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $51,290/yr Washington 31.3% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $47,200/yr Washington 36.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $45,430/yr Washington 39.2% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $41,420/yr Washington 44.5% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $40,390/yr Washington 45.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Washington?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Washington is $74,670 per year (median $76,010), which is 11.9% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Washington rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Washington ranks 5th 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 Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington earn about $49,920 per year and the 25th percentile is $58,650.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Washington?
About $35.9 per hour, based on the $74,670 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Washington?
BLS counts 5,320 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Washington (OEWS May 2025).
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