Cooks, Short Order Salary in Washington, DC
Cooks, Short Order in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $39,650 a year — 11% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $32,826 take-home, or $2,735 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, short order salary in Washington, DC. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,578
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,458
- Medicare (1.45%)$575
- District of Columbia income tax$1,213
- Take-home pay$32,826
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 6.00% 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 →
Cooks, Short Order pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,200 | $15.00 | $26,543 | $2,212 |
| 25th percentile | $36,840 | $17.71 | $30,737 | $2,561 |
| Median (50th) | $39,650 | $19.06 | $32,826 | $2,735 |
| 75th percentile | $42,520 | $20.44 | $34,960 | $2,913 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,060 | $22.63 | $38,335 | $3,195 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $39,650 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 cooks, short order's $32,826 take-home pay has the buying power of $30,147 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Washington, DC has 1.4× the national concentration of cooks, short order jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, short order, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $45,790 | $37,556 | $32,484 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $43,680 | $35,973 | $31,675 |
| 3 | Washington, DC | $39,650 | $32,826 | $30,147 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $39,600 | $32,239 | $29,777 |
| 5 | New York, NY | $35,360 | $29,279 | $26,011 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 5 metros →
About the job: cooks, short order
Prepare and cook to order a variety of foods that require only a short preparation time. May take orders from customers and serve patrons at counters or tables.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -5.2% (declining)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, short order make in Washington, DC?
The median cooks, short order salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $39,650 a year, or about $19.06 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $36,840 and $42,520.
What is a cooks, short order’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $39,650 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $32,826 a year ($2,735 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,213 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a cooks, short order?
Pay here is 11% above the national median of $35,880. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $30,147 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #3 of 5 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, short order 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) — 73% of a median cooks, short order’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Chef and Head Cook — $74,900
- 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
- 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