How much does a chef and head cook make in Seattle?
$80,330a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $38.62 an hour or $6,694 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.62
- Vs. national median
- +29%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 3,740
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,810Median: $80,330Highest 10%: $99,570
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,810 | $24.43 | |
| 25th | $61,860 | $29.74 | |
| Median | $80,330 | $38.62 | |
| 75th | $81,630 | $39.25 | |
| 90th | $99,570 | $47.87 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Bremerton, WA | $74,940 |
| Kennewick, WA | $73,750 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $73,690 |
| Olympia, WA | $72,270 |
| Spokane, WA | $71,540 |
| Bellingham, WA | $70,410 |
| Portland, OR | $65,690 |
| Yakima, WA | $62,920 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $61,610 |
| Bartender | $58,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $57,280 |
| Cook | $53,910 |
| Cook | $51,530 |
| Cook | $50,870 |
| Cook | $47,730 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $45,120 |
| Cook | $44,030 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $43,830 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $38.62 ($80,330 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $80,330 against $62,470 nationally, 29% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $76,010, so Seattle pays 6% more.
Where does Seattle rank for chef and head cook pay?
5 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $50,810 or less a year; the top 10% make $99,570 or more.
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.