Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $66,970 a year ($32.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,410 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $65,400. There are 1.1 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,890 | $23.99 |
| 25th percentile | $59,480 | $28.60 |
| Median | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| 75th percentile | $80,920 | $38.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,410 | $46.83 |
| Average (mean) | $72,990 | $35.09 |
Half of chefs and head cooks 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 | $5,580.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,790.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,575.77 |
| Weekly | $1,287.88 |
| Hourly | $32.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $66,970 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 | 100 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 | 110 |
| Boulder, CO | $61,740 | 280 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $61,090 | 250 |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,710 | 70 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,180 | 490 |
Highest-paying states for chefs and head cooks
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Rhode Island | $79,930 |
| Hawaii | $77,360 |
| District of Columbia | $76,420 |
| Washington | $76,010 |
| North Dakota | $74,740 |
| New Jersey | $74,280 |
| Wyoming | $73,170 |
| South Carolina | $71,860 |
| New York | $70,670 |
| Tennessee | $69,810 |
See Chefs and Head Cooks pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-1011. 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 chefs and head cooks make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $66,970 a year, or $32.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $97,410 a year. The top 25% earn $80,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,890 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $59,480 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,820 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.