How much does a cook make in Denver?
$44,370a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area. That is $21.33 an hour or $3,698 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.33
- Vs. national median
- +19%
- Rank among cities
- 27 of 391
- Jobs in the area
- 15,410
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $36,340Median: $44,370Highest 10%: $49,880
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,340 | $17.47 | |
| 25th | $38,850 | $18.68 | |
| Median | $44,370 | $21.33 | |
| 75th | $45,950 | $22.09 | |
| 90th | $49,880 | $23.98 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Boulder, CO | $42,220 |
| 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 Denver
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,970 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,520 |
| Cook | $45,070 |
| 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 cook make an hour in Denver?
The median hourly pay in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $21.33 ($44,370 a year).
Do cooks make more in Denver than the national average?
Yes: $44,370 against $37,390 nationally, 19% more.
How does Denver compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $41,600, so Denver pays 7% more.
Where does Denver rank for cook pay?
27 of 391 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% make $36,340 or less a year; the top 10% make $49,880 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.