How much does a cook make in Seattle?
$50,870a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $24.46 an hour or $4,239 a month.
- Hourly
- $24.46
- Vs. national median
- +42%
- Rank among cities
- 2 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 830
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,550Median: $50,870Highest 10%: $55,660
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,550 | $19.01 | |
| 25th | $46,610 | $22.41 | |
| Median | $50,870 | $24.46 | |
| 75th | $53,900 | $25.91 | |
| 90th | $55,660 | $26.76 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Portland, OR | $38,810 |
| Spokane, WA | $35,030 |
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 | $51,530 |
| 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 $24.46 ($50,870 a year).
Do cooks make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $50,870 against $35,880 nationally, 42% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $42,760, so Seattle pays 19% more.
Where does Seattle rank for cook pay?
2 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,550 or less a year; the top 10% make $55,660 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.