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.
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 #17 of 45 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $50,870 | $43,054 | $38,741 |
| 2 | Providence, RI | $44,050 | $36,539 | $35,903 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $46,450 | $38,051 | $35,303 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $44,200 | $36,458 | $34,466 |
| 5 | San Jose, CA | $45,990 | $37,706 | $34,147 |
| 6 | Sioux Falls, SD | $35,570 | $30,760 | $33,940 |
| 7 | St. Louis, MO | $38,490 | $32,235 | $33,900 |
| 8 | Nashville, TN | $37,830 | $32,576 | $33,815 |
| 17 | Washington, DC | $39,650 | $32,826 | $30,147 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 45 metros →
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 #17 of 45 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 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