Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial
In Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO), the median pay for chefs and head cooks is $32.20 an hour ($66,970 a year). About 1,820 people work in this job there.
That is 7% higher than the U.S. median ($62,470). It is 2% higher than the Colorado median ($65,400).
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $23.99 | $49,890 |
| 25% of workers | $28.60 | $59,480 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.20 | $66,970 |
| 75% of workers | $38.90 | $80,920 |
| 90% of workers | $46.83 | $97,410 |
Chefs and Head Cooks pay in Colorado metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial (this page) | $66,970 | 1,820 |
| Greeley | $62,730 | 100 |
| Grand Junction | $61,810 | 110 |
| Boulder | $61,740 | 280 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $61,090 | 250 |
| Pueblo | $60,710 | 70 |
| Colorado Springs | $59,180 | 490 |
Colorado unemployment rate: 4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for chefs and head cooks
- Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 2 to 4 years (O*NET)
- Experience usually needed to start: 5 years or more (BLS)
- Job outlook: +6.6% over ten years, faster than average · about 25,200 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial (CO)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 |
| Bakers | $42,490 |
| Food Batchmakers | $46,210 |
| Food Service Managers | $79,490 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.