Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

In the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $48,600 ($23.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $39,400/year and the 90th was $60,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Washington tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $41,230 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 111.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$48,600$23.37 per hour · $4,050 monthly
10th Percentile$39,400$18.94/hr base
25th Percentile$44,400$21.35/hr base
75th Percentile$51,400$24.71/hr base
90th Percentile$60,100$28.89/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$48,600
$15,000$100,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$48,600
Net 85%
Fed 8%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$41,230After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,436Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,586Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate15.2%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,652 / yr
Washington state income taxNo state wage tax$0
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,718 / yr

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Cooks, Restaurant in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (WA)
10th Percentile$18.94/hr$3,283$39,400$33,838
25th Percentile$21.35/hr$3,700$44,400$37,855
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$23.37/hr$4,050$48,600$41,230
75th Percentile$24.71/hr$4,283$51,400$43,480
90th Percentile$28.89/hr$5,008$60,100$50,470

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$48,600 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$115,177Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index111.111.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio42.2%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Washington:

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $48,600, which equates to approximately $4,050 per month or $23.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $23.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.94/hour and one in ten earned more than $28.89/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA span from $39,400 at the 10th percentile to $44,400 at the 25th, $51,400 at the 75th, and $60,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On a median gross salary of $48,600, an estimated $41,230 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,586 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Washington in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,370 (an effective rate of 15.2%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

On the median annual salary of $48,600, gross monthly income is $4,050. After federal, FICA, and Washington state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,436 per month (or $1,586 every two weeks).

Is $48,600 a good salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?

At $48,600, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 42.2% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA median household income ($115,177). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 111.1, making regional consumer goods and services 11.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.