Chef Salary in Washington (2026)
$36.54 per hour · take-home ≈ $62,303/year ($5,192/month) for a single filer
Washington is among the top 5 highest-paying states for Chefs (4th of 51), with a median about 20% above the national average. Of the 5,320 Chef jobs BLS counts in Washington, the typical worker earns $76,010 a year — though pay ranges from $49,920 for newcomers to $95,990 at the top.
Chef pay range in Washington
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $49,920 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $58,650 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $76,010 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $81,540 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $95,990 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 5,320 Chef jobs in Washington (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Washington
A median Chef salary of $76,010 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 $62,303 — an effective tax rate of 18.0%.
| Gross (median) | $76,010 |
| Federal income tax | −$7,892 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,815 |
| Washington state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $62,303 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $5,192 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Washington paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Washington?
- The median Chef salary in Washington is $76,010 per year ($36.54 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $58,650 and $81,540.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Washington?
- On the median salary of $76,010, a single filer in Washington takes home about $62,303 per year ($5,192 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 18.0%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Washington?
- BLS counts 5,320 Chef jobs in Washington in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
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.