Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Chefs and Head Cooks salary really buy you in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia is 16.6% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
District of Columbia's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 116.6, meaning prices are 16.6% higher the national average. A Chefs and Head Cooks earning $76,420 in District of Columbia has the equivalent purchasing power of $65,540 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $56,570 | $48,516 | $-8,053 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $63,550 | $54,502 | $-9,047 |
| Median (P50) | $76,420 | $65,540 | $-10,879 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $81,360 | $69,777 | $-11,582 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $104,660 | $89,759 | $-14,900 |
While $76,420 sounds high, District of Columbia's elevated cost of living erases 14% of that salary's purchasing power. Your real buying power is $65,540. Consider whether the higher pay offsets the higher costs.
District of Columbia's RPP of 116.6 puts it 16.6% above the national baseline cost of living. A Chefs and Head Cooks needs that premium in nominal pay just to maintain the same purchasing power as an average-cost state.
Adjusting $76,420 for District of Columbia's cost of living yields $65,540 — a 14.2% loss in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
District of Columbia sits at #19 of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.
Where does Chefs and Head Cooks salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
District of Columbia ranks #19 out of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Chefs and Head Cooks take-home pay in District of Columbia after taxes →
A Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $76,420 per year. After adjusting for District of Columbia's cost of living (RPP=116.6), the real purchasing power is $65,540 — a -14.2% difference.
District of Columbia's cost of living is 16.6% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for District of Columbia is 116.6 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia: $76,420 x (100 / 116.6) = $65,540. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Chefs and Head Cooks's nominal salary of $76,420 in District of Columbia has 14.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $65,540. However, District of Columbia may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.