How much does a chef and head cook make in District of Columbia?
$76,420a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in District of Columbia. That is $36.74 an hour or $6,368 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.74
- Vs. national median
- +22%
- Rank among states
- 3 of 51
- Jobs in the state
- 2,020
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $56,570Median: $76,420Highest 10%: $104,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $56,570 | $27.20 | |
| 25th | $63,550 | $30.55 | |
| Median | $76,420 | $36.74 | |
| 75th | $81,360 | $39.12 | |
| 90th | $104,700 | $50.32 |
Cities in District of Columbia
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| Washington, DC | $74,900 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for chef and head cooks.
| 1. Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| 2. Hawaii | $77,360 |
| 3. District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| 4. Washington | $76,010 |
| 5. North Dakota | $74,740 |
| 6. New Jersey | $74,280 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in District of Columbia?
The median hourly pay in District of Columbia is $36.74 ($76,420 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in District of Columbia than the national average?
Yes: $76,420 against $62,470 nationally, 22% more.
Where does District of Columbia rank for chef and head cook pay?
District of Columbia ranks 3 of 51 states.
Which city in District of Columbia pays chef and head cooks the most?
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV, with a median of $74,900 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.