How much does a cook make in Denver?
$38,530a year
Median yearly pay for cooks in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area. That is $18.52 an hour or $3,211 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.52
- Vs. national median
- +25%
- Rank among cities
- 33 of 308
- Jobs in the area
- 4,220
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $34,040Median: $38,530Highest 10%: $49,570
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,040 | $16.37 | |
| 25th | $35,930 | $17.27 | |
| Median | $38,530 | $18.52 | |
| 75th | $40,790 | $19.61 | |
| 90th | $49,570 | $23.83 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for cooks.
| Colorado Springs, CO | $36,560 |
| Boulder, CO | $36,250 |
| Greeley, CO | $35,840 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $35,230 |
| Pueblo, CO | $34,180 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $33,980 |
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 |
| Cook | $44,200 |
| Food Server | $39,850 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $39,650 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 |
| 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 $18.52 ($38,530 a year).
Do cooks make more in Denver than the national average?
Yes: $38,530 against $30,890 nationally, 25% more.
How does Denver compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $36,900, so Denver pays 4% more.
Where does Denver rank for cook pay?
33 of 308 metro areas with data.
How much does a cook make starting out in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% make $34,040 or less a year; the top 10% make $49,570 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.