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.
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 #19 of 74 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albany, NY | $84,430 | $64,264 | $64,544 |
| 2 | Providence, RI | $79,340 | $62,287 | $61,202 |
| 3 | Nashville, TN | $70,420 | $58,370 | $60,589 |
| 4 | Buffalo, NY | $74,290 | $57,678 | $60,179 |
| 5 | Atlantic City, NJ | $75,740 | $59,476 | $60,164 |
| 6 | Memphis, TN | $66,230 | $55,396 | $60,096 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $80,330 | $65,342 | $58,796 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $74,660 | $58,101 | $58,068 |
| 19 | Washington, DC | $74,900 | $58,100 | $53,360 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 74 metros →
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 #19 of 74 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 and Serving Related Workers, All Other — $38,590
- 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