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Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Washington
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Cooks, Restaurant make in Washington?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$46,800
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.0% vs 2024
$47,200
Mean Salary
$46,800
Median Salary
$22.50
Hourly Rate
35,140 people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Washington
Cooks, Restaurant salary by percentile in Washington
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Cooks, Restaurant in Washington earn a median salary of $46,800 per year ($3,900/month).
This is 24.2% above the national average of $37,684.
Washington ranks #1 out of 51 states for Cooks, Restaurant pay.
Approximately 35,140 people work in this occupation across Washington.
Salaries increased by 4.0% 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)
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Washington range from $37,940 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $57,910 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $42,770 and $49,540.
Median $46,800
P10: $37,940P25: $42,770P75: $49,540P90: $57,910
10th
$37,940
25th
$42,770
Median
$46,800
75th
$49,540
90th
$57,910
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$37,940
$18.24
$3,161
25th Percentile
$42,770
$20.56
$3,564
Median (50th)
$46,800
$22.50
$3,900
75th Percentile
$49,540
$23.82
$4,128
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$57,910
$27.84
$4,825
Note: The mean (average) salary of $47,200 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
The median annual salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Washington is $46,800 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $47,200.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Restaurant in Washington?
Salaries for Cooks, Restaurant in Washington range from $37,940 at the 10th percentile to $57,910 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $42,770 and $49,540.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Washington?
Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant positions in Washington typically start around $37,940 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $42,770 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Restaurant in Washington?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 35,140 people are employed as Cooks, Restaurant in Washington.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Washington?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Restaurant in Washington is approximately $22.50 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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