Cooks, Short Order Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Cooks, Short Orders in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA make a median of $46,010 a year, or about $22.12 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $48K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $41,402 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $2,501/month — about 75.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $46K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
About cooks, short orders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level cooks, short orders (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $46K.Top earners bring in $48K or more - a $10K spread from bottom to top.
Cooks, Short Order pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $46K | +30% | N/A |
| Washington | $46K | +29% | 1,610 |
| Massachusetts | $45K | +26% | 4,100 |
| Hawaii | $41K | +15% | 600 |
| Alaska | $40K | +12% | 390 |
| Vermont | $39K | +10% | 600 |
| California | $39K | +10% | 34,490 |
| Nevada | $39K | +9% | N/A |
| District of Columbia | $38K | +8% | N/A |
| New Mexico | $38K | +7% | 1,020 |
| Connecticut | $37K | +4% | 410 |
| New York | $37K | +3% | N/A |
| Illinois | $37K | +3% | 1,380 |
| Utah | $37K | +3% | 520 |
| Oregon | $36K | +0% | 3,240 |
Track cooks, short order salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do cooks, short orders make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $46,010 a year - that works out to about $22.12 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,600, and experienced cooks, short orders can clear $48,070. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $46K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,251/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 76.9% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a cooks, short order salary go in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median cooks, short order salary is worth about $41,402 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do cooks, short orders get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.