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Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Restaurant Cook Salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

In the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metropolitan area, restaurant cooks earned a median annual wage of $45,700 ($21.97/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $36,100/year and the 90th was $52,500/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and District of Columbia tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,258 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 108.9 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$45,700$21.97 per hour · $3,808 monthly
10th Percentile$36,100$17.36/hr base
25th Percentile$39,600$19.04/hr base
75th Percentile$47,400$22.79/hr base
90th Percentile$52,500$25.24/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 payWhat $46,000 a year leaves after tax in District of ColumbiaFederal tax, FICA and District of Columbia withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$22 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $46,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $46,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation District of Columbia publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about District of Columbia.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$45,700
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$45,700
Net 82%
Fed 7%
DC 4%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,258After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,105Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,433Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate18.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,304 / yr
District of Columbia state income tax$1,642 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,496 / yr
Customize deductions in full District of Columbia calculator

Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (DC)
10th Percentile$17.36/hr$3,008$36,100$30,120
25th Percentile$19.04/hr$3,300$39,600$32,723
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$21.97/hr$3,808$45,700$37,258
75th Percentile$22.79/hr$3,950$47,400$38,522
90th Percentile$25.24/hr$4,375$52,500$42,314

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$45,700 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$126,684Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index108.98.9% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio36.1%of area median income

Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in District of Columbia:

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Cooks, Restaurant pay in other District of Columbia metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV

What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $45,700, which equates to approximately $3,808 per month or $21.97 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV is $21.97 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.36/hour and one in ten earned more than $25.24/hour.

What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV span from $36,100 at the 10th percentile to $39,600 at the 25th, $47,400 at the 75th, and $52,500 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On a median gross salary of $45,700, an estimated $37,258 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,433 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in District of Columbia in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,442 (an effective rate of 18.5%).

How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

On the median annual salary of $45,700, gross monthly income is $3,808. After federal, FICA, and District of Columbia state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,105 per month (or $1,433 every two weeks).

Is $45,700 a good salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?

At $45,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 36.1% of the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV median household income ($126,684). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 108.9, making regional consumer goods and services 8.9% more expensive than the U.S. average.