Cooks, Fast Food salary in Colorado
Cooks, Fast Food in Colorado earn a median of $36,900 a year ($17.74 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,610 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $30,890. Colorado ranks 9th of 51 states for cooks, fast food pay. There are 3.2 cooks, fast food per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $38,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, fast food in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,970 | $15.37 |
| 25th percentile | $34,790 | $16.73 |
| Median | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| 75th percentile | $38,990 | $18.74 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,610 | $22.41 |
| Average (mean) | $38,400 | $18.46 |
Half of cooks, fast food 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 | $3,075 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,537.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,419.23 |
| Weekly | $709.62 |
| Hourly | $17.74 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,900 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Fast Food salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $38,530 | 4,220 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,560 | 1,340 |
| Boulder, CO | $36,250 | 580 |
| Greeley, CO | $35,840 | 360 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $35,230 | 960 |
| Pueblo, CO | $34,180 | 340 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $33,980 | 310 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, fast food
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $48,120 |
| District of Columbia | $44,670 |
| California | $42,050 |
| Washington | $39,120 |
| New Hampshire | $38,590 |
| Vermont | $38,230 |
| Oregon | $37,880 |
| Massachusetts | $37,870 |
| Colorado | $36,900 |
| Maine | $36,350 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 | $31.44 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2011. 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 cooks, fast food make in Colorado?
The median salary for cooks, fast food in Colorado is $36,900 a year, or $17.74 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, fast food make in Colorado?
The top 10% of cooks, fast food in Colorado earn at least $46,610 a year. The top 25% earn $38,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, fast food in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,970 a year, and a quarter of cooks, fast food earn $34,790 or less.
How many cooks, fast food work in Colorado?
About 9,220 cooks, fast food are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.