Salaries › Cook › District of Columbia
Cook Salary in District of Columbia (2026)
$22.18 per hour · take-home ≈ $37,644/year ($3,137/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in District of Columbia
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,440 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $39,960 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $46,130 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $47,890 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $53,020 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 7,720 Cook jobs in District of Columbia (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in District of Columbia
A median Cook salary of $46,130 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 $37,644 — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
| Gross (median) | $46,130 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,356 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,529 |
| District of Columbia state income tax | −$1,602 |
| Take-home (annual) | $37,644 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,137 |
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 Cook make in District of Columbia?
- The median Cook salary in District of Columbia is $46,130 per year ($22.18 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $39,960 and $47,890.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in District of Columbia?
- On the median salary of $46,130, a single filer in District of Columbia takes home about $37,644 per year ($3,137 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 18.4%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in District of Columbia?
- BLS counts 7,720 Cook jobs in District of Columbia in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for 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.