Salaries › Chef › District of Columbia
Chef Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
$36.74 per hour · take-home ≈ $59,064/year ($4,922/month) for a single filer
District of Columbia is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Chefs (3rd of 51), with a median about 21% above the national average. Of the 2,020 Chef jobs BLS counts in District of Columbia, the typical worker earns $76,420 a year — though pay ranges from $56,570 for newcomers to $104,660 at the top.
Chef pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $56,570 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $63,550 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $76,420 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,360 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $104,660 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 2,020 Chef jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Chef salary of $76,420 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 $59,064 — an effective tax rate of 22.7%.
| Gross (median) | $76,420 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,982 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,846 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$3,527 |
| Take-home (annual) | $59,064 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,922 |
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 Chef make in District of Columbia?
- The median Chef salary in District of Columbia is $76,420 per year ($36.74 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $63,550 and $81,360.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $76,420, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $59,064 per year ($4,922 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 22.7%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 2,020 Chef jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
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.