Salaries › Cafeteria Cook › District of Columbia
Cafeteria Cook Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
$21.85 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,138/year ($3,095/month) for a single filer
District of Columbia ranks 10th of 51 states for Cafeteria Cook pay, with a median about 20% above the national average. Of the 1,500 Cafeteria Cook jobs BLS counts in District of Columbia, the typical worker earns $45,450 a year — though pay ranges from $38,740 for newcomers to $55,680 at the top.
Cafeteria Cook pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $38,740 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,980 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $45,450 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $46,950 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $55,680 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 1,500 Cafeteria Cook jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 35-2012, “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Cafeteria Cook salary of $45,450 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus District of Columbia state income tax, a single filer keeps about $37,138 — an effective tax rate of 18.3%.
| Gross (median) | $45,450 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,274 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,477 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$1,561 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,138 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,095 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free District of Columbia paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in District of Columbia?
- The median Cafeteria Cook salary in District of Columbia is $45,450 per year ($21.85 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,980 and $46,950.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cafeteria Cook in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $45,450, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $37,138 per year ($3,095 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.3%.
- How many Cafeteria Cook jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 1,500 Cafeteria Cook jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cafeteria Cooks
Other salaries in District of Columbia
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified District of Columbia state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for District of Columbia.