The average salary for a restaurant cook in District of Columbia is around $46,130 per year.
Avg Salary
Restaurant cooks earn an average yearly salary of $46,130.
Wages typically start from $36,440 and go up to $53,020.
50% below national average Updated in 2025
Restaurant cook earnings by seniority
Top-level restaurant cook earnings begin at:
$25.49 per hour
$53,020 per year
Senior-level restaurant cook earnings begin at:
$23.02 per hour
$47,890 per year
Mid-level restaurant cook earnings begin at:
$22.18 per hour
$46,130 per year
Junior-level restaurant cook earnings begin at:
$19.21 per hour
$39,960 per year
Starting level restaurant cook earnings begin at:
$17.52 per hour
$36,440 per year
Approximate values based on highest and lowest earning segments.
Restaurant cook salary by state
| State Name | Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
| New Hampshire | $40,200 |
| Alaska | $40,140 |
| Connecticut | $39,480 |
| Arizona | $38,670 |
| Nevada | $38,610 |
| Minnesota | $38,590 |
| New Jersey | $38,460 |
| Montana | $38,060 |
| Delaware | $37,840 |
| Maryland | $37,820 |
| Illinois | $37,580 |
| Nebraska | $37,030 |
| Florida | $37,020 |
| Michigan | $36,980 |
| Missouri | $36,940 |
| Wyoming | $36,830 |
| Virginia | $36,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $36,580 |
| Wisconsin | $36,550 |
| Rhode Island | $36,510 |
| Utah | $36,490 |
| North Dakota | $36,470 |
| Idaho | $36,440 |
| Tennessee | $36,420 |
| South Dakota | $36,220 |
| Georgia | $35,940 |
| South Carolina | $35,740 |
| Iowa | $35,670 |
| Ohio | $35,540 |
| North Carolina | $35,400 |
| Indiana | $35,170 |
| Kansas | $35,130 |
| New Mexico | $35,020 |
| Texas | $34,760 |
| Kentucky | $34,640 |
| Alabama | $32,180 |
| Oklahoma | $31,720 |
| Arkansas | $30,180 |
| West Virginia | $29,590 |
| Mississippi | $29,560 |
| Louisiana | $29,050 |
| Virgin Islands, U.S. | $28,630 |
| Guam | $19,930 |
| Puerto Rico | $18,210 |
How do restaurant cook salaries compare to similar careers?
Restaurant cooks earn 17% less than similar careers in District of Columbia. On average, they make less than registered dietitian nutritionists but more than hosts and hostesses.
| Career | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Registered dietitian nutritionist salary | $82K |
| Culinary chef salary | $76K |
| Food server salary | $48K |
| Bartender salary | $54K |
| Butcher salary | $49K |
| Restaurant cook salary | $46K |
| Baker salary | $44K |
| Dietetic technician salary | $41K |
| Food preparation worker salary | $40K |
| Host and hostess salary | $38K |
Source: CareerExplorer (Aggregated)