How does Chefs and Head Cooks salary grow from entry-level to senior in Washington? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
94% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • Washington salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington spans from $44,560 at entry-level to $86,360 at senior level — a difference of $41,800 per year.
Senior Chefs and Head Cookss in Washington earn $41,800 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Chefs and Head Cooks salary increases with experience in Washington, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $44,560 | $3,713 | $21.42 |
| Early Career | P25 | $51,810 | $4,318 | $24.91 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $67,140 | $5,595 | $32.28 |
| Experienced | P75 | $76,560 | $6,380 | $36.81 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $86,360 | $7,197 | $41.52 |
Chefs and Head Cooks in Washington has a moderate salary progression with a 94% growth from entry-level ($44,560) to senior ($86,360). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($67,140) and P90 ($86,360) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does Washington rank for Chefs and Head Cooks senior-level salaries? Compare Washington's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Entry-level Chefs and Head Cookss (10th percentile) earn approximately $44,560 per year, or $3,713 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $51,810. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Chefs and Head Cookss (90th percentile) earn approximately $86,360 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $76,560. This represents a career premium of 94% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Chefs and Head Cookss is 94%. Entry-level professionals start at $44,560, while senior-level can earn up to $86,360 — a difference of $41,800 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Chefs and Head Cookss is Washington, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $86,360 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
Salary percentile data for Washington from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Washington.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS