Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Denver, CO

Updated 2024 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsUSD $

Median Salary

$38,000

Average Salary

$41,000

Salary Range

$27,000 - $47,000

Est. Employment*

7,200

*Employment figures are estimates based on national occupational data distributed across metro areas. Actual local numbers may vary.

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Salary Distribution

Top 10%
$47,000
75th Percentile
$43,000
Median
$38,000
25th Percentile
$32,000
Bottom 10%
$27,000

10th to 90th percentile range. Half of all cooks, restaurant earn between $32,000 and $43,000.

About Cooks, Restaurant in Denver

Cooks, Restaurant work in the food service industry, preparing ingredients, cooking meals, and serving customers. Their skills and dedication help create enjoyable dining experiences for patrons.

In Denver, cooks, restaurant benefit from a moderate cost of living that balances earnings with expenses. The area's major industries include Technology, Aerospace & Defense, Energy.

Key Skills

TeamworkCustomer ServiceMenu KnowledgePhysical StaminaKnife SkillsInventory Management

Education

High school diploma or equivalent; culinary degree for advanced roles

Many positions require little formal education beyond a high school diploma. Chefs and head cooks often benefit from culinary school training or apprenticeships. On-the-job training is common across all levels.

Tips to Earn More as a Cooks, Restaurant

1.Complete culinary school or an apprenticeship for advanced chef roles
2.Earn food safety certifications (ServSafe, food handler's card)
3.Develop expertise in a culinary specialty (pastry, international cuisine, etc.)
4.Build management skills to advance to head chef or restaurant manager
5.Stay current with food trends and dietary preferences

Cooks, Restaurant Salary in Other Cities

CityMedianRangevs Denver
San Jose, CA$49,000$32,000 - $62,000+29%
San Francisco, CA$48,000$31,000 - $61,000+26%
Seattle, WA$45,000$31,000 - $55,000+18%
New York, NY$44,000$31,000 - $54,000+16%
Washington DC, DC$44,000$31,000 - $54,000+16%
Boston, MA$44,000$31,000 - $54,000+16%
Los Angeles, CA$41,000$29,000 - $50,000+8%
San Diego, CA$40,000$28,000 - $49,000+5%
Baltimore, MD$39,000$27,000 - $48,000+3%
Honolulu, HI$39,000$27,000 - $48,000+3%
Philadelphia, PA$38,000$27,000 - $47,0000%
Austin, TX$38,000$27,000 - $47,0000%
Hartford, CT$38,000$27,000 - $47,0000%
Anchorage, AK$38,000$27,000 - $47,0000%
Chicago, IL$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Houston, TX$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Minneapolis, MN$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Portland, OR$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Raleigh, NC$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Sacramento, CA$37,000$26,000 - $45,000-3%
Dallas, TX$36,000$25,000 - $44,000-5%
Atlanta, GA$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Phoenix, AZ$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Nashville, TN$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Charlotte, NC$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Salt Lake City, UT$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Milwaukee, WI$35,000$24,000 - $43,000-8%
Detroit, MI$34,000$24,000 - $42,000-11%
Las Vegas, NV$34,000$24,000 - $42,000-11%
Kansas City, MO$34,000$24,000 - $42,000-11%
Richmond, VA$34,000$24,000 - $42,000-11%
Toronto, ON$34,000$24,000 - $42,000-11%
Miami, FL$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Orlando, FL$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
San Antonio, TX$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Columbus, OH$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Indianapolis, IN$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Pittsburgh, PA$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
St. Louis, MO$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Cleveland, OH$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Cincinnati, OH$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Buffalo, NY$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Vancouver, BC$33,000$23,000 - $40,000-13%
Tampa, FL$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Jacksonville, FL$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Memphis, TN$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Louisville, KY$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
New Orleans, LA$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Tucson, AZ$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Calgary, AB$32,000$22,000 - $39,000-16%
Oklahoma City, OK$31,000$22,000 - $38,000-18%
Birmingham, AL$31,000$22,000 - $38,000-18%
Ottawa, ON$30,000$21,000 - $37,000-21%
Edmonton, AB$29,000$20,000 - $36,000-24%
Montreal, QC$27,000$19,000 - $33,000-29%
Hamilton, ON$27,000$19,000 - $33,000-29%
Winnipeg, MB$26,000$18,000 - $32,000-32%
Quebec City, QC$25,000$18,000 - $31,000-34%
Halifax, NS$25,000$18,000 - $31,000-34%