Chefs and Head Cooks Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$46,330
- 25th Percentile — Junior$58,220
- 50th Percentile — Median$65,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$79,420
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$93,270
Half of Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado earn more than $65,400. The top 10% make $93,270 or more, while entry-level workers start around $46,330.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 12th of 51 states for Chefs and Head Cooks pay, at $70,320 per year (5.4% above the U.S. average of $66,700).
- 3,970 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado — 2.0% of all U.S. Chefs and Head Cooks jobs.
- Location quotient 1.07: Chefs and Head Cooks jobs are more concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $46,330; the top 10% earn over $93,270.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Rhode Island at $84,860.
- Among hospitality jobs in Colorado, First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation pays the most ($53,710).
Chefs and Head Cooks Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Chefs and Head Cooks here earn $70,320 on average, placing the state 12th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $70,320 is roughly equivalent to $63,927 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, New Jersey ($72,930), South Carolina ($70,780), Tennessee ($70,710) are the closest alternatives for Chefs and Head Cooks weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $53,710/yr Colorado 23.6% vs this role
- Bartenders $51,250/yr Colorado 27.1% vs this role
- Waiters and Waitresses $51,240/yr Colorado 27.1% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $43,690/yr Colorado 37.9% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $42,360/yr Colorado 39.8% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $41,280/yr Colorado 41.3% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $38,400/yr Colorado 45.4% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,890/yr Colorado 47.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado?
The average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado is $70,320 per year (median $65,400), which is 5.4% above the national average of $66,700.
How does Colorado rank for Chefs and Head Cooks pay?
Colorado ranks 12th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Rhode Island ($84,860/yr).
How much do entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado earn about $46,330 per year and the 25th percentile is $58,220.
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Colorado?
About $33.81 per hour, based on the $70,320 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Chefs and Head Cooks work in Colorado?
BLS counts 3,970 Chefs and Head Cooks jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data