Salary distribution
Where Colorado chefs and head cooks fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $55,900 and $76,590, with a median of $63,990.
Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 5 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $90,000. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $64,262 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 3 | $95,000 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aspen Skiing Company | Chef de Cuisine | 4 | $92,500 |
| McGuire Moorman Hospitality LLC | Executive Chef | 1 | $65,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Executive Chef at McGuire Moorman Hospitality LLC$65,000AspenWage Level IIDecided Jul 2, 2025I-200-25176-127897
- Chef de Cuisine at Aspen Skiing Company$90,000BoulderWage Level IVDecided May 30, 2025I-200-25142-010409
- Sous Chef - 604594.000036 at Aspen Skiing Company$63,523AspenWage Level IIDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-911178
- Chef de Cuisine at Aspen Skiing Company$96,271Snowmass VillageWage Level IVDecided Apr 25, 2025I-200-25108-880109
- Chef de Cuisine at Aspen Skiing Company$95,000AspenWage Level IVDecided Apr 10, 2025I-200-25093-827596
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Chefs and Head Cooks pay by experience level in Colorado
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in Colorado over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
High school diploma
Experience
5 years or more
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Food Production
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Production and Processing
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Administration and Management
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Coordination
Technical
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Problem Sensitivity
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
- 02
Check the quality of raw or cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
- 03
Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
- 04
Check the quantity and quality of received products.
- 05
Supervise or coordinate activities of cooks or workers engaged in food preparation.
- 06
Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
- 07
Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
- 08
Instruct cooks or other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, or presentation of food.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+7.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Metro-level salary data for chefs and head cooks in major Colorado metropolitan areas.
- Denver$70,090
Compare Chefs and Head Cooks pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado is $63,990.
- How does Colorado compare to the national median for Chefs and Head Cooks?
- The Colorado median is +5.6% versus the BLS national figure of $60,610.
- What is the salary range for Chefs and Head Cooks in Colorado?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $44,490 and the 90th-percentile at $90,480, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Chefs and Head Cooks a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 7.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Chefs and Head Cooks?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as High school diploma. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.