How much does a chef and head cook make in Washington?
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $36.01 an hour or $6,242 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.01
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among cities
- 12 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 4,680
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,110 | $20.73 | |
| 25th | $59,930 | $28.81 | |
| Median | $74,900 | $36.01 | |
| 75th | $80,060 | $38.49 | |
| 90th | $102,900 | $49.46 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Bartender | $48,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,580 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,040 |
| Cook | $44,880 |
| Cook | $42,920 |
| Cook | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $38,590 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,630 |
| Food Server | $37,540 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $37,260 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $36.01 ($74,900 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $74,900 against $62,470 nationally, 20% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $76,420, so Washington pays 2% less.
Where does Washington rank for chef and head cook pay?
12 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $43,110 or less a year; the top 10% make $102,900 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.