Executive Chef Salary
in Washington, DC
Direct kitchen operations, create menus, and lead culinary teams in restaurants and hotels. Median salary in Washington: $83K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.
Salary range in Washington
Source: BLS OES 2026, H-1B DOL Disclosures Q1 2026. Figures represent annual base salary in Washington, District of Columbia.
Key facts for Washington
Salary forecast: Washington 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 $83K by 2030.
Full salary breakdown & negotiation guide
Unlock the full salary report + negotiation email template
Enter your email for free access. We'll send salary market updates — unsubscribe anytime.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Executive Chef Salary in Washington, District of Columbia: Complete Guide (2026)
The median Executive Chef salary in Washington, DC is $83,000 per year as of Q1 2025. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Washington–DC 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 Washington
Entry-level Executive Chefs in Washington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $63,000 and $83,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $83,000 to $112,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $112,000 to $156,000 or more.
Cost of living in Washington for Executive Chefs
Washington has a cost of living index of 152 compared to the US national average of 100. Washington's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. District of Columbia has a 8.5% state income tax rate.
Education requirements for Executive Chef
Culinary degree or apprenticeship. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.