Cooks, Restaurant salary in Grand Junction, CO
Cooks, Restaurant in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn a median of $36,420 a year ($17.51 an hour), based on BLS data for 690 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,810 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 12% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $41,600. There are 10 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Grand Junction, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,030 | $14.92 |
| 25th percentile | $34,630 | $16.65 |
| Median | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| 75th percentile | $41,530 | $19.97 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,810 | $22.03 |
| Average (mean) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
Half of cooks, restaurant 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 | $3,035 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,517.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,400.77 |
| Weekly | $700.38 |
| Hourly | $17.51 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Restaurant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $44,370 | 15,410 |
| Boulder, CO | $42,220 | 2,190 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $38,370 | 1,930 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $38,000 | 3,330 |
| Greeley, CO | $36,900 | 1,000 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,920 | 580 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, restaurant
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $46,800 |
| District of Columbia | $46,130 |
| Massachusetts | $45,600 |
| Hawaii | $45,420 |
| Vermont | $45,390 |
| Maine | $45,290 |
| California | $44,880 |
| New York | $43,680 |
| Oregon | $43,100 |
| Colorado | $41,600 |
See Cooks, Restaurant pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Grand Junction, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Food Preparation Worker | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Bartender | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| Dishwasher | $33,730 | $16.22 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,810 | $29.72 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Grand Junction, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2014. 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, restaurant make in Grand Junction, CO?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Grand Junction, CO metro area is $36,420 a year, or $17.51 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Grand Junction, CO?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn at least $45,810 a year. The top 25% earn $41,530 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Grand Junction, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,030 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $34,630 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Grand Junction, CO?
About 690 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Grand Junction, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.