How much does a cook make in Washington?
$44,880a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $21.58 an hour or $3,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.58
- Vs. national median
- +20%
- Rank among cities
- 49 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 5,670
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,580Median: $44,880Highest 10%: $53,890
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,580 | $17.59 | |
| 25th | $39,570 | $19.02 | |
| Median | $44,880 | $21.58 | |
| 75th | $47,110 | $22.65 | |
| 90th | $53,890 | $25.91 |
Other cities in District of Columbia
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| No other city in the state with data. |
Related jobs in Washington
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $74,900 |
| Bartender | $48,030 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,580 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $46,040 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Washington?
The median hourly pay in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $21.58 ($44,880 a year).
Do cooks make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $44,880 against $37,450 nationally, 20% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $45,450, so Washington pays 1% less.
Where does Washington rank for cook pay?
49 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $53,890 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.