Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria
In Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $36.01 an hour ($74,900 a year). About 4,680 people work in this job there.
That is 20% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 2% lower than the District of Columbia median ($76,420).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.73 | $43,110 |
| 25% of workers | $28.81 | $59,930 |
| Half of workers (median) | $36.01 | $74,900 |
| 75% of workers | $38.49 | $80,060 |
| 90% of workers | $49.46 | $102,870 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in District of Columbia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (this page) | $74,900 | 4,680 |
District of Columbia unemployment rate: 5.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria (DC)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,040 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,920 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,580 |
| Bakers | $38,650 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $44,880 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $39,650 |
| Food Service Managers | $79,290 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.