Cook, Short Order Salary in Washington (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooks, Short Order in Washington, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Washington Median
$42,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#6 of 49
1,700 employed here

How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Washington?

Cooks, Short Order in Washington take home a median of $42,760 annually — roughly $20.56 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $35,880.

Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $34,650 while the top 10% make $55,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,000 and $50,870 a year.

Cook, Short Order salary range in Washington

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$34,650$16.66
25th percentile (early career)$36,000$17.31
50th percentile (median)$42,760$20.56
75th percentile (experienced)$50,870$24.46
90th percentile (top earners)$55,660$26.76

How Washington compares

Washington ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Arizona$46,630
2Rhode Island$46,250
3Massachusetts$44,290
4Hawaii$43,110
5California$42,930

Working as a Cook, Short Order in Washington

Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.

Considering a move? Compare Washington pay ($42,760) 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 does a Cook, Short Order make in Washington?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Washington is $42,760 per year, or about $20.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,650 at the entry level to $55,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Cooks, Short Order about 19% more than the national median of $35,880. Washington ranks 6th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,760 a year. About 1,700 Cooks, Short Order are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cook, Short Order 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.