Chefs and Head Cooks Salary in Southwest Colorado

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area

Median annual salary $61,190 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $29.42
10th percentile $35,890
90th percentile $101,540
Employed locally 230
National median $60,990

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Chefs and Head Cooks
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Southwest Colorado
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,890
    25th
    $50,000
    50th (median)
    $61,190
    75th
    $77,240
    90th
    $101,540

    Top-paying metros for Chefs and Head Cooks

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $87,410
    Morgantown, WV $87,280
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $85,370
    Terre Haute, IN $83,880
    East Arkansas nonmetropolitan area $81,720
    Hawaii $81,200

    Related occupations in Southwest Colorado

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,140
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,860
    Cooks, Restaurant $37,540
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,710
    Bartenders $34,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,220

    Frequently asked questions

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

    The median hourly wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Southwest Colorado is $29.42, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $44.15 or more per hour.

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

    The median Chefs and Head Cooks salary in Southwest Colorado is 0.3% above 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 Southwest Colorado?

    Entry-level Chefs and Head Cooks (10th percentile) earn around $35,890 per year in Southwest Colorado. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $50,000.