How much does a cook make in Boulder?
$42,220a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $20.30 an hour or $3,518 a month.
- Hourly
- $20.30
- Vs. national median
- +13%
- Rank among cities
- 44 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 2,190
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,340Median: $42,220Highest 10%: $54,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,340 | $16.51 | |
| 25th | $37,500 | $18.03 | |
| Median | $42,220 | $20.30 | |
| 75th | $46,350 | $22.28 | |
| 90th | $54,600 | $26.25 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Denver, CO | $44,370 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $38,370 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $38,000 |
| Greeley, CO | $36,900 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $36,420 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,920 |
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 |
| Cook | $48,020 |
| Bartender | $42,520 |
| 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 $20.30 ($42,220 a year).
Do cooks make more in Boulder than the national average?
Yes: $42,220 against $37,390 nationally, 13% more.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $41,600, so Boulder pays 1% more.
Where does Boulder rank for cook pay?
44 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $54,600 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.