SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Western Washington
Western Washington nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Western Washington, WA is $34,650 per year, close to the national median of $35,880 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Western Washington, WA is $34,650 per year, close to the national median of $35,880 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $34,650 and $36,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $34,650 and the ninetieth at $46,850.
Within the state, Seattle records the highest median at $50,870. Of the 355 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 354th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,650 | −3.4% |
| 25th | $34,650 | −3.4% |
| Median (50th) | $34,650 | −3.4% |
| 75th | $36,430 | +1.5% |
| 90th | $46,850 | +30.6% |
| Mean | $37,600 | +4.8% |
Other metro areas in Washington
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle | $50,870 | 830 | |
| 2 | Yakima | $38,430 | 40 | |
| 3 | Bellingham | $38,160 | 30 | |
| 4 | Spokane | $35,030 | — |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Western Washington run 7.0% above the national average, so the median of $34,650 buys what $32,383 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$34,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$32,383US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $34,650 a year, 3.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,650 to $46,850 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Seattle, at $50,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Western Washington, WA?
The median annual wage is $34,650, or $16.66 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 $35,880, so pay in Western Washington, WA is 3.4% lower. 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 Western Washington, WA earns more than $46,850 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,650 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 $50,870 per year.
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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