How much does a cook make in Seattle?
$44,030a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area. That is $21.17 an hour or $3,669 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.17
- Vs. national median
- +43%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 5,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $35,330Median: $44,030Highest 10%: $48,140
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,330 | $16.99 | |
| 25th | $38,280 | $18.40 | |
| Median | $44,030 | $21.17 | |
| 75th | $44,390 | $21.34 | |
| 90th | $48,140 | $23.14 |
Other cities in Washington
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Portland, OR | $38,580 |
| Bellingham, WA | $38,480 |
| Bremerton, WA | $37,910 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $37,850 |
| Kennewick, WA | $37,030 |
| Yakima, WA | $36,710 |
| Olympia, WA | $36,600 |
| Longview, WA | $36,550 |
| Wenatchee, WA | $36,260 |
| Lewiston, ID | $34,270 |
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 | $50,870 |
| Cook | $47,730 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $45,120 |
| 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 $21.17 ($44,030 a year).
Do cooks make more in Seattle than the national average?
Yes: $44,030 against $30,890 nationally, 43% more.
How does Seattle compare with the rest of Washington?
The median in Washington is $39,120, so Seattle pays 13% more.
Where does Seattle rank for cook pay?
5 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Seattle?
The lowest-paid 10% make $35,330 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,140 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.