How much does a chef and head cook make in Denver?
$66,970a year
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area. That is $32.20 an hour or $5,581 a month.
- Hourly
- $32.20
- Vs. national median
- +7%
- Rank among cities
- 53 of 340
- Jobs in the area
- 1,820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,890Median: $66,970Highest 10%: $97,410
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,890 | $23.99 | |
| 25th | $59,480 | $28.60 | |
| Median | $66,970 | $32.20 | |
| 75th | $80,920 | $38.90 | |
| 90th | $97,410 | $46.83 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for chef and head cooks.
| Greeley, CO | $62,730 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $61,810 |
| Boulder, CO | $61,740 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $61,090 |
| Pueblo, CO | $60,710 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $59,180 |
Related jobs in Denver
Same field, median yearly pay.
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,520 |
| Cook | $45,070 |
| Cook | $44,370 |
| Cook | $44,200 |
| Food Server | $39,850 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 |
| Cook | $38,530 |
| Bartender | $37,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a chef and head cook make an hour in Denver?
The median hourly pay in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $32.20 ($66,970 a year).
Do chef and head cooks make more in Denver than the national average?
Yes: $66,970 against $62,470 nationally, 7% more.
How does Denver compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $65,400, so Denver pays 2% more.
Where does Denver rank for chef and head cook pay?
53 of 340 metro areas with data.
How much does a chef and head cook make starting out in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,890 or less a year; the top 10% make $97,410 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.