How much does a cook make in Boulder?
$48,020a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $23.09 an hour or $4,002 a month.
- Hourly
- $23.09
- Vs. national median
- +28%
- Rank among cities
- 15 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 820
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $37,060Median: $48,020Highest 10%: $59,430
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $37,060 | $17.82 | |
| 25th | $39,780 | $19.13 | |
| Median | $48,020 | $23.09 | |
| 75th | $48,090 | $23.12 | |
| 90th | $59,430 | $28.57 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Denver, CO | $45,070 |
| Greeley, CO | $42,950 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $39,770 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $39,140 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $39,110 |
| Pueblo, CO | $38,560 |
Related jobs in Boulder
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,740 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,020 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $49,870 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Boulder?
The median hourly pay in the Boulder, CO metro area is $23.09 ($48,020 a year).
Do cooks make more in Boulder than the national average?
Yes: $48,020 against $37,450 nationally, 28% more.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $42,500, so Boulder pays 13% more.
Where does Boulder rank for cook pay?
15 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $37,060 or less a year; the top 10% make $59,430 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.