📊 BLS Official Data · May 2025 Release

Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Colorado (2026)

Colorado · 10.0% above national average · High Demand

Average
$73,370
per year
Median
$68,717
per year
Hourly
$35.27
per hour
📅 Dataset: OES May 2025
🔄 Published: May 2026
📍 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
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Salary Range & Percentiles
Pay distribution across experience levels
10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,026
25th Percentile — Junior$58,372
50th Percentile — Median$68,717
75th Percentile — Senior$88,398
90th Percentile — Top Earners$99,743
💡 Top-earning Chefs and Head Cookss in Colorado make up to $99,743 per year. The job market in Colorado is rated very strong, with key industries including Technology, Aerospace, Tourism.
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Salary Growth Trend (2021–2026)
Six-year compensation trajectory
$63.3k
2021
$65.2k
2022
$67.1k
2023
$69.2k
2024
$71.2k
2025
$73.4k
2026
📈 Chefs and Head Cooks salaries in Colorado have followed the national trend with 3.0% annual growth. The strong demand in Colorado's job market supports continued salary increases.
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Chefs and Head Cooks Salary by City in Colorado
Geographic salary comparison
CityAvg Salaryvs NationalDemand
Denver $84,376 +15.0% High
Colorado Springs $77,772 +6.0% High
Aurora $80,707 +10.0% High
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Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation

Colorado is home to a very strong job market for Chefs and Head Cookss. The state's key industries — Technology, Aerospace, Tourism — generate significant demand for skilled professionals. At $73,370 per year, Colorado's Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Colorado (index: 1.1) justifies the higher pay scale. Entry-level professionals in Colorado can expect to earn $45,026–$58,372, while experienced Chefs and Head Cookss can command $88,398–$99,743.

Looking ahead, the Chefs and Head Cooks profession in Colorado is projected to grow at 3.0% annually. Major employers are actively hiring, and the state's investment in Technology continues to drive new opportunities for qualified candidates.

🏛️ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
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Compare with Similar Jobs
Related career salary benchmarks
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
  • The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado is $73,370 per year in 2026, which is 10.0% above the national average of $66,700.
  • Major metro areas typically pay Chefs and Head Cookss the highest wages in Colorado due to higher costs of living and competitive job markets.
  • Colorado has a very strong job market with major industries in Technology, Aerospace, Tourism. This makes it one of the better states for Chefs and Head Cooks employment.
  • At $73,370/year, Colorado Chefs and Head Cooks salaries are 10.0% higher than the national average of $66,700/year.