Colorado Median
$65,400
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#14 of 51
3,970 employed here
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Colorado?
Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado take home a median of $65,400 annually — roughly $31.44 an hour — which runs 5% above the national median of $62,470.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $46,330 while the top 10% make $93,270 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,220 and $79,420 a year.
Chefs and Head Cooks salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,330 | $22.27 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,220 | $27.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,400 | $31.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,420 | $38.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,270 | $44.84 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories for Chefs and Head Cooks pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chefs and Head Cooks salary in other states
Rhode Island $79,930Hawaii $77,360District of Columbia $76,420Washington $76,010North Dakota $74,740New Jersey $74,280Wyoming $73,170South Carolina $71,860New York $70,670Tennessee $69,810Massachusetts $69,540Georgia $66,230Vermont $65,440California $64,500Missouri $64,480Connecticut $64,310Pennsylvania $63,860Oregon $63,600New Hampshire $63,400Virginia $63,270Minnesota $62,600Alabama $62,400Nevada $62,380New Mexico $62,250Maryland $61,590Delaware $61,440Wisconsin $61,300North Carolina $61,130West Virginia $61,100Nebraska $60,510Michigan $60,070Arizona $59,890Utah $59,060Illinois $58,830Oklahoma $58,540Kansas $58,390Florida $58,240Montana $57,470Maine $57,010Texas $56,080Mississippi $54,850Ohio $53,990Alaska $52,190Indiana $52,190Idaho $52,000South Dakota $48,470Kentucky $48,070Iowa $47,990Arkansas $46,170Louisiana $45,570
Working as Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado
Nationally, about 200,000 people work as Chefs and Head Cooks in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($65,400) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make in Colorado?
The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado is $65,400 per year, or about $31.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,330 at the entry level to $93,270 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Chefs and Head Cooks about 5% more than the national median of $62,470. Colorado ranks 14th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Chefs and Head Cooks?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $65,400 a year. About 3,970 Chefs and Head Cooks are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Chefs and Head Cooks salary report
Related salaries
$44,080
median pay · 1,223,000 employed
$47,940
median pay · 1,000 employed
$30,890
median pay · 641,000 employed
$34,810
median pay · 477,000 employed
$31,200
median pay · 3,854,000 employed
$34,340
median pay · 756,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.