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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in District of Columbia
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in District of Columbia?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,130
Median Annual Salary
▲
+2.0% vs 2024
$45,570
Mean Salary
$46,130
Median Salary
$22.18
Hourly Rate
7,720 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in District of Columbia
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia earn a median salary of $46,130 per year ($3,844/month).
This is 22.4% above the national average of $37,684.
District of Columbia ranks #2 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 7,720 people work in this occupation across District of Columbia.
Salaries increased by 2.0% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Cooks, Restaurant
Prepare, season, and cook dishes such as soups, meats, vegetables, or desserts in restaurants. May order supplies, keep records and accounts, price items on menu, or plan menu.
Top Skills
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Speaking
3.0
Critical Thinking
3.0
Coordination
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Food Production
4.1
Customer and Personal Service
3.89
English Language
3.56
Production and Processing
3.0
Administration and Management
2.92
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent
(44.0% of workers)
Salary Range: Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia range from $36,440 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $53,020 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $39,960 and $47,890.
Median $46,130
P10: $36,440P25: $39,960P75: $47,890P90: $53,020
10th
$36,440
25th
$39,960
Median
$46,130
75th
$47,890
90th
$53,020
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$36,440
$17.52
$3,036
25th Percentile
$39,960
$19.21
$3,330
Median (50th)
$46,130
$22.18
$3,844
75th Percentile
$47,890
$23.02
$3,990
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$53,020
$25.49
$4,418
Note: The mean (average) salary of $45,570 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#2
District of Columbia ranks #2 of 51 states
$37,684
National avg. for Cooks, Restaurant
+22.4%
vs. national average
Above Average
Similar Jobs That Pay More in District of Columbia:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in District of Columbia?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia is $46,130 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $45,570.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia range from $36,440 at the 10th percentile to $53,020 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $39,960 and $47,890.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in District of Columbia typically start around $36,440 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $39,960 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 7,720 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia is approximately $22.18 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
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