District of Columbia Median
$76,420
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.74
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+22% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#3 of 51
2,020 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in District of Columbia?
Chefs and Head Cooks working in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $76,420 per year, or about $36.74 per hour. That is 22% above the national median of $62,470 for this occupation.
Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $56,570 while the top 10% make $104,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $63,550 and $81,360 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $56,570 | $27.20 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $63,550 | $30.55 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,420 | $36.74 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $81,360 | $39.12 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,660 | $50.32 |
|
How District of Columbia compares
District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860New York $70,670Tennessee $69,810Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440Colorado $65,400California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Alabama $62,400Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia
Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare District of Columbia pay ($76,420) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in District of Columbia?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in District of Columbia is $76,420 per year, or about $36.74 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $56,570 at the entry level to $104,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 22% more than the national median of $62,470. District of Columbia ranks 3rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,420 a year. About 2,020 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.