Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Washington
Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington earn a median of $76,010 a year ($36.54 an hour), based on BLS data for 5,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $62,470. Washington ranks 4th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.5 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $74,670, close to the median.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 25th percentile | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Median | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| 75th percentile | $81,540 | $39.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,990 | $46.15 |
| Average (mean) | $74,670 | $35.90 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,334.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,167.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,923.46 |
| Weekly | $1,461.73 |
| Hourly | $36.54 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,330 | 3,740 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $74,940 | 140 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $73,750 | 100 |
| Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA | $73,690 | 80 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $72,270 | 140 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $71,540 | 240 |
| Bellingham, WA | $70,410 | 140 |
| Walla Walla, WA | $68,120 | 40 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $65,690 | 1,580 |
| Longview-Kelso, WA | $63,080 | 40 |
| Yakima, WA | $62,920 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $56,130 | $26.98 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,800 | $22.50 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $40,910 | $19.67 |
| Bartender | $55,830 | $26.84 |
| Dishwasher | $40,080 | $19.27 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,270 | $17.92 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $39,120 | $18.81 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,870 | $18.69 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,760 | $20.56 |
| Cooks, All Other | $52,510 | $25.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Washington
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Washington?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Washington is $76,010 a year, or $36.54 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,920 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Washington?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Washington earn at least $95,990 a year. The top 25% earn $81,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,920 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $58,650 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Washington?
About 5,320 chefs and head cooks are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.