Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
Chefs and Head Cooks in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn a median of $61,090 a year ($29.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $62,470. Pay here is 7% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $65,400. There are 1.5 chefs and head cooks per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $63,590, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chefs and head cooks in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,910 | $22.07 |
| 25th percentile | $52,620 | $25.30 |
| Median | $61,090 | $29.37 |
| 75th percentile | $72,820 | $35.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,780 | $40.28 |
| Average (mean) | $63,590 | $30.57 |
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 | $5,090.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,545.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,349.62 |
| Weekly | $1,174.81 |
| Hourly | $29.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $61,090 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $66,970 | 1,820 |
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 | 100 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 | 110 |
| Boulder, CO | $61,740 | 280 |
| 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 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,850 | $16.75 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $47,360 | $22.77 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,370 | $18.45 |
| Bartender | $46,290 | $22.26 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $35,230 | $16.94 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,770 | $19.12 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,890 | $16.78 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,970 | $17.78 |
| Dishwasher | $35,800 | $17.21 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,630 | $15.69 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Fort Collins-Loveland, 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 Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The median salary for chefs and head cooks in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $61,090 a year, or $29.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,780 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chefs and head cooks make in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
The top 10% of chefs and head cooks in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area earn at least $83,780 a year. The top 25% earn $72,820 or more.
What is the starting pay for chefs and head cooks in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,910 a year, and a quarter of chefs and head cooks earn $52,620 or less.
How many chefs and head cooks work in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?
About 250 chefs and head cooks are employed in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.