📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Washington (2026)

Washington · 25.0% above national average · Medium Demand

Average
$77,500
per year
Median
$66,725
per year
Hourly
$37.26
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$46,118
25th Percentile — Junior$62,688
50th Percentile — Median$66,725
75th Percentile — Senior$99,970
90th Percentile — Top Earners$114,839
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in Washington make up to $114,839 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
$63.7k
2021
$66.2k
2022
$68.9k
2023
$71.7k
2024
$74.5k
2025
$77.5k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in Washington have followed the national trend with 4.0% annual growth. The strong presence 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 $106,950 +38.0% Medium
Spokane $77,500 +0.0% Medium
Tacoma $93,000 +20.0% Medium
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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 $77,500 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 $46,118–$62,688, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $99,970–$114,839.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in Washington is projected to grow at 4.0% 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 $77,500 per year in 2026, which is 25.0% above the national average of $62,000.
  • 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 $77,500/year, Washington Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 25.0% higher than the national average of $62,000/year.