Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Seattle, WA

In Seattle, WA, cooks working in institutions and cafeterias have a median annual salary of $50,290, which is significantly higher than the national median for the occupation at $36,450. This indicates that these workers earn more compared to their counterparts across the United States. When considering local economic factors, the median household income in Seattle stands at $112,594, meaning that the typical cook's earnings contribute approximately 44.6% of a local household's income. Given the area’s unemployment rate of 4.30%, cooks appear to be relatively well-compensated within the local job market, positioning them comfortably above many entry-level positions and reflecting the city's higher cost of living.

The salary range for cooks in Seattle varies depending on experience levels, with those at the 10th percentile earning $43,540 annually, while individuals in the 25th percentile make around $45,580. In contrast, more experienced workers in the 75th percentile earn approximately $59,830, and those in the top 10%, or the 90th percentile, can expect to earn up to $61,510 per year. This disparity is driven by factors such as tenure, expertise, and possibly additional responsibilities or skill sets acquired over time. Entry-level cooks typically start at lower wages due to their limited experience and skill set, while those with extensive experience may receive higher compensation reflecting increased efficiency, specialized skills, and the ability to manage more complex tasks within institutional and cafeteria settings.