Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $60,720 -0.4% vs national
Median hourly $29.19
10th percentile $37,440
90th percentile $79,820
Employed locally 360
National median $60,990

Compare Chefs and Head Cooks salary & buying power

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Chefs and Head Cooks
in
Boulder, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $37,440
    25th
    $44,650
    50th (median)
    $60,720
    75th
    $71,010
    90th
    $79,820

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Chefs and Head Cooks salary vs area income 59% Median Chefs and Head Cooks salary is 41% below the area median household income

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Chefs and Head Cooks make per hour in Boulder?

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Boulder, CO is $29.19, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.67 or more per hour.

    Is Boulder above or below average for Chefs and Head Cooks salaries?

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Boulder, CO is 0.4% below the national median of $60,990. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Boulder?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $37,440 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $44,650.