Executive Chef Salary
in Seattle, WA
Direct kitchen operations, create menus, and lead culinary teams in restaurants and hotels. Median salary in Seattle: $78K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Salary range in Seattle
Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Seattle, Washington.
Key facts for Seattle
Salary forecast: Seattle Executive Chef to 2030
Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2025. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $78K by 2030.
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Executive Chef Salary in Seattle, Washington: Complete Guide (2026)
The median Executive Chef salary in Seattle, WA is $78,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Seattle–WA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.
Salary range for Executive Chef in Seattle
Entry-level Executive Chefs in Seattle with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $60,000 and $78,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $78,000 to $106,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $106,000 to $147,000 or more.
Cost of living in Seattle for Executive Chefs
Seattle has a cost of living index of 150 compared to the US national average of 100. Seattle's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Crucially, Washington has no state income tax — giving Seattle-based Executive Chefs an immediate 3–5% take-home pay advantage over workers in states like California (9.3%) or New York (6.85%).
Education requirements for Executive Chef
Culinary degree or apprenticeship. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.