SOC 35-1011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Chefs and Head Cooks — Wenatchee
Wenatchee-East Wenatchee, WA · 9 metro areas compared
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Wenatchee, WA is $73,690 per year, 18.0% above the national median of $62,470.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Wenatchee, WA is $73,690 per year, 18.0% above the national median of $62,470. Half of workers earn between $62,260 and $75,710. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $47,760 and the ninetieth at $81,330.
Employment stands at 80, or 1.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $80,330. Of the 229 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 85th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $47,760 | −23.5% |
| 25th | $62,260 | −0.3% |
| Median (50th) | $73,690 | +18.0% |
| 75th | $75,710 | +21.2% |
| 90th | $81,330 | +30.2% |
| Mean | $70,890 | +13.5% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $80,330 | 3,740 | |
| 2 | Bremerton | $74,940 | 140 | |
| 3 | Kennewick | $73,750 | 100 | |
| 4 | Olympia | $72,270 | 140 | |
| 5 | Spokane | $71,540 | 240 | |
| 6 | Bellingham | $70,410 | 140 | |
| 7 | Walla Walla | $68,120 | 40 | |
| 8 | Longview | $63,080 | 40 | |
| 9 | Yakima | $62,920 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Wenatchee run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $73,690 buys what $68,869 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$73,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,869US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $73,690 a year, 18.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $47,760 to $81,330 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $80,330.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Wenatchee, WA?
The median annual wage is $73,690, or $35.43 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $62,470, so pay in Wenatchee, WA is 18.0% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Wenatchee, WA earns more than $81,330 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $47,760 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Seattle, at $80,330 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Wenatchee, WA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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