Cooks, Fast Food salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Cooks, Fast Food in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $38,530 a year ($18.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,570 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $30,890. Pay here is 4% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $36,900. There are 2.6 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $40,450, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,040 | $16.37 |
| 25th percentile | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Median | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| 75th percentile | $40,790 | $19.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,570 | $23.83 |
| Average (mean) | $40,450 | $19.45 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $3,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,605.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,481.92 |
| Weekly | $740.96 |
| Hourly | $18.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,560 | 1,340 |
| Boulder, CO | $36,250 | 580 |
| Greeley, CO | $35,840 | 360 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $35,230 | 960 |
| Pueblo, CO | $34,180 | 340 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $33,980 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
See Cooks, Fast Food pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Cooks, All Other | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,970 | $32.20 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $38,530 a year, or $18.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $49,570 a year. The top 25% earn $40,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,040 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $35,930 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 4,220 cooks, fast food are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.