How much does a cook make in Washington?
$42,920a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area. That is $20.63 an hour or $3,577 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.63
- Vs. national median
- +15%
- Rank among cities
- 40 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 29,670
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,310Median: $42,920Highest 10%: $49,650
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,310 | $16.98 | |
| 25th | $36,790 | $17.69 | |
| Median | $42,920 | $20.63 | |
| 75th | $46,070 | $22.15 | |
| 90th | $49,650 | $23.87 |
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 | $44,880 |
| 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 $20.63 ($42,920 a year).
Do cooks make more in Washington than the national average?
Yes: $42,920 against $37,390 nationally, 15% more.
How does Washington compare with the rest of District of Columbia?
The median in District of Columbia is $46,130, so Washington pays 7% less.
Where does Washington rank for cook pay?
40 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Washington?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,310 or less a year; the top 10% make $49,650 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.