How much does a cook make in Boulder?
$36,250a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $17.43 an hour or $3,021 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.43
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among cities
- 52 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 580
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $33,380Median: $36,250Highest 10%: $45,380
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,380 | $16.05 | |
| 25th | $33,380 | $16.05 | |
| Median | $36,250 | $17.43 | |
| 75th | $39,390 | $18.94 | |
| 90th | $45,380 | $21.82 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Denver, CO | $38,530 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,560 |
| Greeley, CO | $35,840 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $35,230 |
| Pueblo, CO | $34,180 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $33,980 |
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 |
| 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 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cook make an hour in Boulder?
The median hourly pay in the Boulder, CO metro area is $17.43 ($36,250 a year).
Do cooks make more in Boulder than the national average?
Yes: $36,250 against $30,890 nationally, 17% more.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $36,900, so Boulder pays 2% less.
Where does Boulder rank for cook pay?
52 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $33,380 or less a year; the top 10% make $45,380 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.