Careers · Chefs and Head Cooks · District of Columbia
Chefs and Head Cooks in District of Columbia
Chefs and head cooks direct food preparation in kitchens, seasoning and cooking salads, soups, fish, meats, vegetables, desserts, and other dishes. They work in restaurants, hotels, catering companies, and institutional food services In District of Columbia the median pay is $76,420 a year, 22% above the national median of $62,470.
$76,420median pay in District of Columbia, per year
$63,550–$81,360middle half earn
2,020employed in District of Columbia
$62,470U.S. median, for comparison
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against chefs and head cooks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against chefs and head cooks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Who is hiring in District of Columbia
275open roles like this on employer career sites, 1 in District of Columbia or remote
23employers hiring
113posted in the last 7 days
NY · FL · WAwhere most openings are
What it takes
Preparation: Medium preparation (vocational training, an associate degree, or related experience). Most hold an associate degree.
Skills that matter most
CoordinationMonitoringSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessTime ManagementManagement of Personnel ResourcesCritical ThinkingService Orientation
Knowledge areas
Food ProductionProduction and ProcessingCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesAdministration and ManagementMathematics (knowledge)
Full profile, interests that fit, certifications and training: Chefs and Head Cooks.
Licenses and training in District of Columbia
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in other states
Rhode Island · $79,930Hawaii · $77,360Washington · $76,010North Dakota · $74,740New Jersey · $74,280Wyoming · $73,170South Carolina · $71,860New York · $70,670Tennessee · $69,810Massachusetts · $69,540
Related occupations
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving WorkersCooks, Fast FoodCooks, Institution and CafeteriaCooks, Private HouseholdCooks, RestaurantCooks, Short OrderCooks, All OtherFood Preparation Workers
Are you suited for this?
Four short assessments and your background, scored against chefs and head cooks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
Four short assessments and your background, scored against chefs and head cooks and 13,000 other careers — with the reasons. Free.
O*NET-SOC 35-1011.00. Pay: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, District of Columbia, annual.