Chef/Head Cook in Bellevue, WA

The Salary Picture: Where Bellevue Stands

As a local, I can tell you straight up: Bellevue isn't a cheap place to live, but it can be a rewarding one for skilled chefs. The numbers tell a clear story. The median salary for a Chef/Head Cook in Bellevue is $62,703/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.15/hour. This sits comfortably above the national average of $60,350/year, giving Bellevue chefs a roughly 4% premium over their peers across the country.

However, that wage must be viewed through the lens of the local economy. The metro area, which includes Bellevue and surrounding Eastside cities, has approximately 303 jobs for Chef/Head Cooks. The 10-year job growth is projected at a modest 5%. This isn't a booming, high-turnover market like some tourist hubs, but a stable, demand-driven one. The jobs are here, but they're competitive, often requiring experience and a proven track record.

Here’s how salaries typically scale with experience in the Bellevue market:

| Experience Level | Typical Bellevue Salary Range | Notes for the Local Market |
| :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- |
| Entry-Level | $48,000 - $55,000 | Often found in line cook or sous chef roles in larger corporate kitchens or banquet facilities. Expect to work in high-volume settings. |
| Mid-Career | $60,000 - $75,000 | This is the sweet spot for many Head Cooks and Executive Sous Chefs in independent restaurants and mid-sized hotel kitchens. |
| Senior/Expert | $75,000 - $95,000+ | Commanded by true Executive Chefs in fine dining (e.g., in downtown Bellevue or at The Bellevue Club) or those managing multiple outlets. |
| Director/VP Level | $95,000 - $130,000+ | Rare in Bellevue proper, but possible for chefs managing culinary operations for a major corporate campus (like Microsoft) or a multi-unit restaurant group. |

How does Bellevue stack up against other WA cities?

• Seattle: Salaries can be slightly higher ($65,000 - $70,000 median), but the cost of living is significantly steeper, and commutes are brutal.
• Spokane/Tacoma: Median salaries hover closer to the national average (~$58,000 - $60,000). The cost of living is much lower, but the dining scene is less diverse and has fewer high-end opportunities.
• Bellevue's Niche: You're trading the raw volume and celebrity chef scene of Seattle for a more corporate, affluent, and stable clientele. The money is good, and the opportunities are solid, but it's a different grind.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get brutally honest about the math. Earning $62,703/year is a respectable wage, but Bellevue's cost of living is a major factor. The Cost of Living Index is 113.0 (US avg = 100), driven almost entirely by housing. The average 1-bedroom apartment rent is $2,269/month.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a Chef/Head Cook earning the median salary (assuming a $62,703 gross annual income, paid bi-weekly):

Budget Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Details & Local Insights
Gross Pay	~$5,225
Net Pay (Est.)	~$3,900	After federal tax (~15%), state tax (7%), and FICA. Use a WA paycheck calculator for precision.
Rent (1BR Apt)	$2,269	This is the Bellevue average. You can find cheaper in Crossroads or Factoria, but expect to pay more in Downtown or West Bellevue.
Utilities	$150	Includes electricity, gas, water, and garbage. Internet is separate.
Groceries	$400	Bellevue grocery prices are ~10-15% above national average. A chef's palate can be expensive!
Transportation	$300	Assumes an older car payment ($200) + gas ($100). Public transit (Sound Transit) is viable but limited for off-hours.
Health Insurance	$200	This is a subsidized estimate. Many employers offer plans, but deductibles can be high.
Dining Out/Entertainment	$300	Essential for networking and inspiration. Bellevue's restaurant scene is not cheap.
Savings/Debt	$281	This is the critical gap. After essentials, you have $281 left. This is why dual-income households are common here.

Can they afford to buy a home?
On a single $62,703 income, buying a home in Bellevue is extremely challenging. The median home price is over $1.2 million. A 20% down payment would be $240,000, with a monthly mortgage payment exceeding $5,000—far beyond what a single chef can afford. This is a major con for single-income professionals. Most chefs who buy homes do so in more affordable neighboring cities like Renton, Kent, or Federal Way, and commute in.

Where the Jobs Are: Bellevue's Major Employers

Bellevue's culinary job market is driven by corporate wealth, tech campuses, and high-end hospitality. Here are the specific employers you need to know:

1. Tech Campus Dining (Microsoft, Google, Meta): Massive, high-volume kitchens serving thousands of employees daily. They pay competitively ($65,000 - $85,000+), offer full benefits, and have regular hours. The work is more institutional but incredibly stable. Hiring is continuous but requires passing a corporate background check.
2. The Bellevue Club: A private, high-end athletic and social club. Their culinary team serves a discerning clientele. It's a prestigious role with excellent pay and benefits, but openings are rare and often filled internally.
3. Sweepstakes/Hotel Restaurants: The Sweepstakes (in the Bellevue Club) and hotel kitchens at the W Bellevue or Westin Bellevue offer banquet and fine-dining opportunities. They often hire for banquet chef and sous chef positions, especially during conference season (Q2-Q4).
4. Independent Fine Dining: Places like Café Juanita (in nearby Kirkland, but a major Bellevue draw), The Lakehouse, or Seastar Restaurant (in Bellevue) are the pinnacle. These are competitive, creative roles. They pay well but demand long, irregular hours. Networking is key.
5. Corporate Catering Companies: Companies like Bon Appétit Management Company or Compass Group service many Bellevue offices. They hire for on-site chef and management roles. It's a great path for work-life balance and benefits.
6. Local Restaurant Groups: Groups like Herban Feast (catering) or the team behind The 520 Bar & Grill often have multiple outlets. They offer growth into multi-unit management.

Hiring Trends: The market is stable. The biggest hiring waves are in Q1 (post-holiday) and Q3 (pre-holiday season). Tech campus jobs have rolling openings. Fine dining spots hire for specific needs, often via chef networks and industry events like the Washington Chefs Association meetings.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State has no mandatory licensing for chefs, which is a relief. However, the Washington State Department of Health requires a Food Worker Card for any employee handling food. This is a basic requirement.

• Food Worker Card: You can get this online for $10. The course takes about 1-2 hours. It's valid for 2-3 years. You need this before starting any job. (Source: WA State Dept. of Health).
• ServSafe Manager Certification: While not state-mandated, it is effectively required for any Head Cook or Executive Chef role in Bellevue. Most employers (especially corporate and hotel) will want or require it. The course and exam cost about $150-$200. Get this before you move if you don't have it.
• Timeline: You can get your Food Worker Card online the day you apply for jobs. Completing ServSafe takes a few weeks of study. There's no state-specific "chef license."

Best Neighborhoods for Chef/Head Cooks

Your commute and lifestyle will depend on where you live. Bellevue is divided by I-405 and Highway 520.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Rent Estimate (1BR)	Why It's Good for a Chef
Crossroads	Diverse, walkable, more affordable. Central to I-405 and many corporate parks.	$1,900 - $2,100	Best value for your money. Close to many tech campuses and mid-range restaurants. Great for networking with other industry folks.
Factoria/Bel-Red	Suburban, car-dependent. Home to many corporate offices (like T-Mobile).	$2,000 - $2,200	Quiet, safe, and a straight shot to downtown Bellevue. Good for chefs who want a quiet home life. Close to the Factoria Mall dining cluster.
Downtown Bellevue	Urban, walkable, expensive. The heart of the action.	$2,600 - $3,000+	You can walk to work at high-end restaurants, hotels, or corporate offices. The premium is worth it if you land a downtown job.
West Bellevue	Affluent, residential, near the lake.	$2,400 - $2,700	Near The Bellevue Club and upscale residential areas. More for established chefs with families. Commute to downtown is easy.
Renton (to the south)	Working-class, more affordable, industrial.	$1,600 - $1,800	A popular "commuter" choice. A 20-30 minute drive to Bellevue, but you save significantly on rent. Many chefs live here.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The Bellevue market rewards specialization and management.

• Specialty Premiums: Chefs with expertise in pastry, banquets, or specific cuisines (e.g., high-end sushi) can command a 10-15% salary premium. Knowledge of sustainable, local sourcing is highly valued by Bellevue's affluent clientele.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is: Line Cook → Sous Chef → Head Cook → Executive Chef. In Bellevue, a critical pivot is moving from a restaurant to a tech campus or hotel. This step often brings a significant pay bump, better hours, and benefits (401k, stock options). The next step is into culinary management—overseeing multiple outlets or a full dining program.
• 10-Year Outlook (5% Growth): The growth is steady but not explosive. The demand will be for chefs who can manage people, navigate complex dietary restrictions (common in tech), and run a cost-effective, high-quality kitchen. The rise of ghost kitchens and virtual brands is also creating new, hybrid roles that blend traditional cooking with digital marketing and logistics.

The Verdict: Is Bellevue Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-average salaries and strong job stability.	Extremely high cost of living, especially housing.
Access to corporate and fine-dining employers with benefits.	Competitive job market; experience is king.
Vibrant, diverse food scene with room for innovation.	Car-centric city; public transit is limited for off-hours.
Safe, clean, and family-friendly environment.	Limited nightlife compared to Seattle; closes early.
Strong networking opportunities with industry professionals.	Single-income homeownership is nearly impossible.

Final Recommendation:
Bellevue is an excellent choice for experienced Chef/Head Cooks (mid-career and above) who are seeking stability and a higher wage floor, and who are either single with a roommate/partner, dual-income, or willing to accept a longer commute from a more affordable suburb. It's not ideal for entry-level cooks trying to save money or for chefs prioritizing a gritty, artist-driven food scene over corporate polish. If you value a clean, safe environment and can stomach the rent, Bellevue can offer a rewarding, long-term career.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car to work as a chef in Bellevue?
Yes, strongly recommended. While downtown Bellevue is walkable and some tech campuses are on bus lines, most kitchens (hotels, corporate cafeterias, suburban restaurants) require a car for commuting and grocery runs. Off-hours transit is infrequent.

2. How competitive is the job market for a Head Cook?
It's moderately competitive. There are only 303 jobs in the metro. You need a polished resume, strong references, and often, ServSafe certification. Networking through the Washington Chefs Association is highly effective.

3. Can I survive on the median salary as a single person?
Barely, with careful budgeting. The $2,269/month rent is the biggest hurdle. You will have little room for error or large savings. It's more feasible with a roommate or a partner who also works.

4. What's the biggest surprise for chefs moving to Bellevue?
The corporate influence. The dining scene is shaped by tech money and dietary trends (gluten-free, vegan, etc.) more than by traditional chef-driven creativity. The work can be more about consistency and volume than artistry, especially in the high-paying campus jobs.

5. Is the 10-year growth of 5% a concern?
Not necessarily. It indicates a stable, not volatile, market. The growth is tied to the health of the tech industry and corporate expansion. For a skilled chef, this stability is a positive. The key is to continuously upgrade your skills in management and dietary trends to stay relevant.