Chef and Head Cook Salary in Seattle, WA
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median $80,330 a year — 29% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,342 take-home, or $5,445 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median chef and head cook salary in Seattle, WA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,843
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,980
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,165
- Washington income tax$0
- Take-home pay$65,342
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 0.00% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Chef and Head Cook pay by experience in Seattle, WA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,810 | $24.43 | $43,006 | $3,584 |
| 25th percentile | $61,860 | $29.74 | $51,885 | $4,324 |
| Median (50th) | $80,330 | $38.62 | $65,342 | $5,445 |
| 75th percentile | $81,630 | $39.25 | $66,257 | $5,521 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,570 | $47.87 | $78,877 | $6,573 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Washington resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $80,330 buys in Seattle, WA
Prices in Seattle, WA are 11.1% 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 $65,342 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,796 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Seattle, WA has 1.4× the national concentration of chef and head cook jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for chefs and head cooks, adjusted for cost of living
Seattle, WA ranks #1 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 Seattle, WA?
The median chef and head cook salary in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $80,330 a year, or about $38.62 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $61,860 and $81,630.
What is a chef and head cook’s take-home pay in Seattle, WA?
On the median $80,330 salary, a single filer living in Washington takes home about $65,342 a year ($5,445 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Seattle, WA a good place to work as a chef and head cook?
Pay here is 29% above the national median of $62,470. Local prices are 11.1% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,796 would in a typical U.S. city. Seattle, WA ranks #1 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a chef and head cook afford rent in Seattle, WA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Seattle, WA is $2,022 a month ($2,379 for two bedrooms) — 37% of a median chef and head cook’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Seattle, WA
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $61,610
- Bartender — $58,180
- Waiter and Waitress — $57,280
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $51,530
- Cooks, Restaurant — $47,730
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $45,120
- Cooks, Fast Food — $44,030
- Food Preparation Worker — $43,830
- Dishwasher — $42,750
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $40,640
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $39,150
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $38,430