Chefs and Head Cooks salary in District of Columbia
Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia earn a median of $76,420 a year ($36.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,020 workers.
Pay ranges from $56,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,660 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $62,470. District of Columbia ranks 3rd of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 2.9 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,660, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,570 | $27.20 |
| 25th percentile | $63,550 | $30.55 |
| Median | $76,420 | $36.74 |
| 75th percentile | $81,360 | $39.11 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| Average (mean) | $79,660 | $38.30 |
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 | $6,368.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,184.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,939.23 |
| Weekly | $1,469.62 |
| Hourly | $36.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $76,420 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $74,900 | 4,680 |
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 District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,850 | $23.01 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $46,130 | $22.18 |
| Bartender | $53,920 | $25.92 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,430 | $18.00 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,600 | $19.04 |
| Dishwasher | $38,670 | $18.59 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $44,670 | $21.48 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $37,570 | $18.06 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $38,580 | $18.55 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in District of Columbia is $76,420 a year, or $36.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $56,570 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in District of Columbia earn at least $104,660 a year. The top 25% earn $81,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $56,570 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $63,550 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in District of Columbia?
About 2,020 chefs and head cooks are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.