Salary distribution
Where District of Columbia cooks, restaurant fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $39,260 and $46,780, with a median of $45,230.
Cooks, Restaurant pay by experience level in District of Columbia
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in District of Columbia over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
No formal credential
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Moderate-term on-the-job training
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Food Production
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 3.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.5 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Manual Dexterity
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Information Ordering
Ability
- 3.1 / 5
Monitoring
Cross-functional
- 3.1 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Inspect and clean food preparation areas, such as equipment, work surfaces, and serving areas, to ensure safe and sanitary food-handling practices.
- 02
Ensure freshness of food and ingredients by checking for quality, keeping track of old and new items, and rotating stock.
- 03
Ensure food is stored and cooked at correct temperature by regulating temperature of ovens, broilers, grills, and roasters.
- 04
Season and cook food according to recipes or personal judgment and experience.
- 05
Turn or stir foods to ensure even cooking.
- 06
Observe and test foods to determine if they have been cooked sufficiently, using methods such as tasting, smelling, or piercing them with utensils.
- 07
Portion, arrange, and garnish food, and serve food to waiters or patrons.
- 08
Weigh, measure, and mix ingredients according to recipes or personal judgment, using various kitchen utensils and equipment.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+14.9%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for cooks, restaurant in major District of Columbia metropolitan areas.
- Washington, D.C.$42,050
Compare Cooks, Restaurant pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia is $45,230.
- How does District of Columbia compare to the national median for Cooks, Restaurant?
- The District of Columbia median is +21.0% versus the BLS national figure of $37,372.
- What is the salary range for Cooks, Restaurant in District of Columbia?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $37,440 and the 90th-percentile at $54,330, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Cooks, Restaurant a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 14.9% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Cooks, Restaurant?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as No formal credential. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.