Salaries › Cafeteria Cook › Washington
Cafeteria Cook Salary in Washington (2026)
$23.88 per hour · take-home ≈ $42,090/year ($3,507/month) for a single filer
Washington is the highest-paying state in the country for Cafeteria Cooks, with a median about 31% above the national average. Of the 9,780 Cafeteria Cook jobs BLS counts in Washington, the typical worker earns $49,670 a year — though pay ranges from $39,820 for newcomers to $62,840 at the top.
Cafeteria Cook pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $39,820 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $45,760 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $49,670 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $58,220 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $62,840 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 9,780 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Washington (occupation code 35-2012, “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Cafeteria Cook salary of $49,670 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in Washington), a single filer keeps about $42,090 — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
| Gross (median) | $49,670 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,780 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,800 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $42,090 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,507 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in Washington?
- The median Cafeteria Cook salary in Washington is $49,670 per year ($23.88 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $45,760 and $58,220.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cafeteria Cook in Washington?
- On the median salary of $49,670, a single filer in Washington takes home about $42,090 per year ($3,507 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.3%.
- How many Cafeteria Cook jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 9,780 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cafeteria Cooks
Other salaries in Washington
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 Washington 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 Washington.