Colorado ranks 12th of 51 states and D.C. for chefs and head cooks pay, trailing top-paying Hawaii ($81,200) by $17,210 — a 27% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $44,490 to $90,480 — a $45,990 spread, 23% tighter than the national $60,030 range.
Chefs and Head Cooks are more concentrated in Colorado than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.22 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.22× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $44,490 | $21.39 |
| 25th percentile | $55,900 | $26.88 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $63,990 | $30.76 |
| 75th percentile | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $90,480 | $43.50 |
| Mean (average) | $67,380 | $32.39 |
How Colorado Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (current) | $63,990 | n/a |
| Hawaii | $81,200 | +27% |
| Rhode Island | $79,160 | +24% |
| North Dakota | $76,630 | +20% |
| District of Columbia | $74,000 | +16% |
| Massachusetts | $71,330 | +11% |
| Washington | $69,800 | +9% |
| New Jersey | $69,660 | +9% |
| California | $66,780 | +4% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Colorado
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Clergy | $63,980 | 500 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $63,900 | 6,220 |
| Property Appraisers and Assessors | $64,260 | 1,320 |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $63,660 | 18,160 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $63,610 | 9,970 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $63,560 | 7,840 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado?
The mean chefs and head cooks salary in Colorado is $67,380 per year. The median (middle) salary is $63,990 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado?
Entry-level chefs and head cookss (10th percentile) in Colorado typically earn around $44,490 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $55,900 per year.
What is the highest Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Colorado?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Colorado make approximately $90,480 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $76,590 per year.
How does the Colorado Chefs and Head Cooks salary compare to the national average?
The median chefs and head cooks salary in Colorado is $63,990, which is +5% above national average of $60,990.