Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Western Washington

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Western Washington nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $62,680 +2.8% vs national
Median hourly $30.14
10th percentile $45,180
90th percentile $92,450
Employed locally 90
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Western Washington stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Western Washington
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $45,180
    25th
    $52,320
    50th (median)
    $62,680
    75th
    $73,460
    90th
    $92,450

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Related occupations in Western Washington

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $35,690
    Waiters and Waitresses $46,020
    Cooks, Restaurant $40,150
    Food Preparation Workers $36,230
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $49,430
    Bartenders $46,900

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Western Washington?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Western Washington is $30.14, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $41.70 or more per hour.

    Is Western Washington above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Western Washington is 2.8% above the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Western Washington?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $45,180 per year in Western Washington. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $52,320.