How much does a cook make in Seattle?
$51,530a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $24.77 an hour or $4,294 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.77
- Vs. national median
- +38%
- Rank among cities
- 4 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 5,380
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $45,250Median: $51,530Highest 10%: $63,510
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $45,250 | $21.75 | |
| 25th | $47,590 | $22.88 | |
| Median | $51,530 | $24.77 | |
| 75th | $60,420 | $29.05 | |
| 90th | $63,510 | $30.53 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Mount Vernon, WA | $51,620 |
| Bellingham, WA | $49,320 |
| Bremerton, WA | $49,280 |
| Olympia, WA | $48,820 |
| Kennewick, WA | $46,820 |
| Yakima, WA | $46,730 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $46,690 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $46,170 |
| Portland, OR | $45,800 |
| Longview, WA | $45,640 |
| Spokane, WA | $45,330 |
| Lewiston, ID | $37,500 |
Related jobs in Seattle
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $80,330 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $61,610 |
| Bartender | $58,180 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $57,280 |
| Cook | $53,910 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Seattle?
The median hourly pay in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $24.77 ($51,530 a year).
Do cooks make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $51,530 against $37,450 nationally, 38% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $49,670, so Seattle pays 4% more.
Where does Seattle rank for cook pay?
4 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $45,250 or less a year; the top 10% make $63,510 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.