Colorado ranks 9th of 51 states and D.C. for cooks, restaurant pay, trailing top-paying Massachusetts ($46,280) by $7,110 — a 18% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $32,120 to $49,040 — a $16,920 spread, 12% tighter than the national $19,330 range.
Cooks, Restaurant are more concentrated in Colorado than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.25 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.25× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $32,120 | $15.44 |
| 25th percentile | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,170 | $18.83 |
| 75th percentile | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,040 | $23.58 |
| Mean (average) | $41,610 | $20.00 |
How Colorado Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. Colorado |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado (current) | $39,170 | n/a |
| Massachusetts | $46,280 | +18% |
| District of Columbia | $45,230 | +15% |
| Washington | $44,980 | +15% |
| Maine | $44,870 | +15% |
| Hawaii | $44,710 | +14% |
| Vermont | $44,560 | +14% |
| California | $44,290 | +13% |
| New York | $39,890 | +2% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in Colorado
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other | $39,200 | 1,260 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $39,000 | 4,910 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $38,990 | 2,820 |
| Bakers | $39,430 | 4,160 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $38,870 | 2,730 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $39,480 | 6,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Cooks, Restaurant salary in Colorado?
The mean cooks, restaurant salary in Colorado is $41,610 per year. The median (middle) salary is $39,170 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Restaurant in Colorado?
Entry-level cooks, restaurants (10th percentile) in Colorado typically earn around $32,120 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $36,640 per year.
What is the highest Cooks, Restaurant salary in Colorado?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in Colorado make approximately $49,040 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $45,250 per year.
How does the Colorado Cooks, Restaurant salary compare to the national average?
The median cooks, restaurant salary in Colorado is $39,170, which is +6% above national average of $36,830.