How much does a chef and head cook make in Boulder?
$61,740a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $29.68 an hour or $5,145 a month.
- Hourly
- $29.68
- Vs. national median
- -1%
- Rank among cities
- 120 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 280
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,580Median: $61,740Highest 10%: $92,920
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,580 | $18.55 | |
| 25th | $44,720 | $21.50 | |
| Median | $61,740 | $29.68 | |
| 75th | $74,840 | $35.98 | |
| 90th | $92,920 | $44.67 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Denver, CO | $66,970 |
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,090 |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,710 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,180 |
Related jobs in Boulder
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,020 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $49,870 |
| Cook | $48,020 |
| Bartender | $42,520 |
| Cook | $42,220 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,690 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $39,270 |
| Food Server | $38,930 |
| Host and Hostess | $38,220 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Boulder?
The median hourly pay in the Boulder, CO metro area is $29.68 ($61,740 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Boulder than the national average?
No: $61,740 against $62,470 nationally, 1% less.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $65,400, so Boulder pays 6% less.
Where does Boulder rank for chef and head cook pay?
120 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,580 or less a year; the top 10% make $92,920 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.