Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Southwest Colorado

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

Median annual salary $37,540 +1.9% vs national
Median hourly $18.05
10th percentile $30,780
90th percentile $47,080
Employed locally 1,860
National median $36,830

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Cooks, Restaurant
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $30,780
    25th
    $35,530
    50th (median)
    $37,540
    75th
    $44,090
    90th
    $47,080

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Restaurant

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $48,320
    Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH $46,970
    Portland-South Portland, ME $46,960
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $46,960
    Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area $46,500
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $46,340

    Related occupations in Southwest Colorado

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,140
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,860
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,710
    Bartenders $34,780
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria $38,220
    Food Preparation Workers $38,390

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Restaurant make per hour in Southwest Colorado?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Colorado is $18.05, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.86 or more per hour.

    Is Southwest Colorado above or below average for Cooks, Restaurant salaries?

    The median Cooks, Restaurant salary in Southwest Colorado is 1.9% above the national median of $36,830. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Restaurant in Southwest Colorado?

    Entry-level Cooks, Restaurant (10th percentile) earn around $30,780 per year in Southwest Colorado. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,530.