Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado
Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado earn a median of $65,400 a year ($31.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,970 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,270 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $62,470. Colorado ranks 14th of 51 states for chefs and head cooks pay. There are 1.4 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,320, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,330 | $22.28 |
| 25th percentile | $58,220 | $27.99 |
| Median | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| 75th percentile | $79,420 | $38.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,270 | $44.84 |
| Average (mean) | $70,320 | $33.81 |
Half of chefs and head cooks earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,450 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,725 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,515.38 |
| Weekly | $1,257.69 |
| Hourly | $31.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $66,970 | 1,820 |
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 | 100 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 | 110 |
| Boulder, CO | $61,740 | 280 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $61,090 | 250 |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,710 | 70 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,180 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chefs and head cooks make in Colorado?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in Colorado is $65,400 a year, or $31.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $93,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Colorado?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in Colorado earn at least $93,270 a year. The top 25% earn $79,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,330 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $58,220 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Colorado?
About 3,970 chefs and head cooks are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.