Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Washington, DC
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $44,880 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $36,714 take-home, or $3,060 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,206
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,783
- Medicare (1.45%)$651
- District of Columbia income tax$1,527
- Take-home pay$36,714
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.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,580 | $17.59 | $30,543 | $2,545 |
| 25th percentile | $39,570 | $19.02 | $32,766 | $2,731 |
| Median (50th) | $44,880 | $21.58 | $36,714 | $3,060 |
| 75th percentile | $47,110 | $22.65 | $38,372 | $3,198 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,890 | $25.91 | $43,413 | $3,618 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $44,880 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, institution and cafeteria's $36,714 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,719 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are less concentrated in Washington, DC than nationally (location quotient 0.64), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #12 of 37 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $48,530 | $38,967 | $35,992 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,070 | $37,119 | $35,090 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,830 | $36,621 | $34,936 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $49,140 | $40,027 | $34,622 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $47,100 | $38,537 | $34,443 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $44,470 | $36,565 | $34,352 |
| 12 | Washington, DC | $44,880 | $36,714 | $33,719 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Washington, DC?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $44,880 a year, or about $21.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,570 and $47,110.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $44,880 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $36,714 a year ($3,060 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,527 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,719 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #12 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria 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) — 65% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’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, 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