Cooks, Restaurant salary in Pueblo, CO
Cooks, Restaurant in the Pueblo, CO metro area earn a median of $35,920 a year ($17.27 an hour), based on BLS data for 580 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,990 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $37,390. Pay here is 14% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $41,600. There are 9.3 cooks, restaurant per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, restaurant in Pueblo, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,220 | $15.01 |
| 25th percentile | $35,060 | $16.86 |
| Median | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| 75th percentile | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| Average (mean) | $38,490 | $18.51 |
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 | $2,993.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,496.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,381.54 |
| Weekly | $690.77 |
| Hourly | $17.27 |
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 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $36,420 | 690 |
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 Pueblo, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $38,560 | $18.54 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $34,180 | $16.44 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $35,620 | $17.13 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,100 | $14.95 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $45,500 | $21.87 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| Bartender | $37,630 | $18.09 |
| Dishwasher | $34,350 | $16.52 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,140 | $16.89 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $33,930 | $16.31 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,860 | $17.72 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $60,710 | $29.19 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $34,570 | $16.62 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Pueblo, 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 Pueblo, CO?
The median salary for cooks, restaurant in the Pueblo, CO metro area is $35,920 a year, or $17.27 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,220 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, restaurant make in Pueblo, CO?
The top 10% of cooks, restaurant in the Pueblo, CO metro area earn at least $44,990 a year. The top 25% earn $41,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, restaurant in Pueblo, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,220 a year, and a quarter of cooks, restaurant earn $35,060 or less.
How many cooks, restaurant work in Pueblo, CO?
About 580 cooks, restaurant are employed in the Pueblo, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.