Chef and Head Cook Salary in Washington, DC
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $74,900 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $58,100 take-home, or $4,842 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$7,648
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,644
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,086
- District of Columbia income tax$3,422
- Take-home pay$58,100
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 6.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chef and Head Cook pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,110 | $20.73 | $35,398 | $2,950 |
| 25th percentile | $59,930 | $28.81 | $47,885 | $3,990 |
| Median (50th) | $74,900 | $36.01 | $58,100 | $4,842 |
| 75th percentile | $80,060 | $38.49 | $61,316 | $5,110 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,870 | $49.46 | $75,424 | $6,285 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $74,900 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median chef and head cook's $58,100 take-home pay has the buying power of $53,360 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Chef and Head Cook jobs are about as common in Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.16).
Best-paying cities for chefs and head cooks, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $80,330 | $65,342 | $58,796 |
| 2 | Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | $58,101 | $58,068 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $74,900 | $58,100 | $53,360 |
| 4 | Las Vegas, NV | $62,380 | $52,302 | $52,190 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $72,470 | $56,409 | $52,102 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $64,100 | $53,684 | $52,075 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $65,680 | $52,938 | $51,619 |
| 8 | Orlando, FL | $61,390 | $51,507 | $50,787 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: chefs and head cooks
Direct and may participate in the preparation, seasoning, and cooking of salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, or other foods. May plan and price menu items, order supplies, and keep records and accounts.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- 5 years or more
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.6% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make in Washington, DC?
The median chef and head cook salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $74,900 a year, or about $36.01 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $59,930 and $80,060.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $74,900 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $58,100 a year ($4,842 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $3,422 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $53,360 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 41% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Bartender — $48,030
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $47,580
- Waiter and Waitress — $46,040
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $44,880
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,920
- Cooks, Short Order — $39,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $37,630
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $37,540
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,260
- Dishwasher — $37,010
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,360
- Cooks, Fast Food — $35,800