Restaurant Cook Salary in Washington, DC
Updated
The median restaurant cook in the Washington area earns $42,920 a year ($20.63 an hour), 15% above the U.S. median ($37,390). Half of the 29,670 restaurant cooks there earn between $36,790 and $46,070.
Median $42,920
10th: $35,31090th: $49,650
| Annual pay | Washington area | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,310 | $28,700 |
| 25th percentile | $36,790 | $34,010 |
| Median | $42,920 | $37,390 |
| 75th percentile | $46,070 | $44,620 |
| 90th percentile | $49,650 | $47,900 |
| Average | $42,590 | $38,730 |
| Jobs | 29,670 | 1,409,890 |
Washington, DC ranks 11th of the 50 largest U.S. metro areas for restaurant cook pay. Highest: Seattle, WA ($47,730).
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Check my payRestaurant cook pay in other cities
- Seattle, WA: $47,730
- San Jose, CA: $47,170
- San Diego, CA: $46,440
- San Francisco, CA: $46,030
- Boston, MA: $45,830
- Portland, OR: $45,200
- Los Angeles, CA: $44,460
- Denver, CO: $44,370
- All cities
Similar jobs in Washington, DC
- Food Preparation Worker: $37,630
- Fast Food Worker: $34,600
- Waiter: $46,040
- Food Service Supervisor: $47,580
- Bartender: $48,030
- All jobs in Washington, DC
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, published May 15, 2026
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, www.bls.gov/oes. BLS.gov cannot vouch for the data or analyses derived from these data after the data have been retrieved from BLS.gov.