How much does a cook make in Denver?
$44,200a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area. That is $21.25 an hour or $3,683 a month.
- Hourly
- $21.25
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among cities
- 11 of 237
- Jobs in the area
- 1,010
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $42,450Median: $44,200Highest 10%: $64,840
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,450 | $20.41 | |
| 25th | $42,450 | $20.41 | |
| Median | $44,200 | $21.25 | |
| 75th | $64,840 | $31.17 | |
| 90th | $64,840 | $31.17 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Fort Collins, CO | $32,630 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $32,030 |
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 | $44,370 |
| 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 $21.25 ($44,200 a year).
Do cooks make more in Denver than the national average?
Yes: $44,200 against $35,880 nationally, 23% more.
How does Denver compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $42,450, so Denver pays 4% more.
Where does Denver rank for cook pay?
11 of 237 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% make $42,450 or less a year; the top 10% make $64,840 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.