What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Denver?

According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $66,970.

How does Denver pay compare to the US median for Chefs and Head Cooks?

Local median pay is 7.2% above the national OEWS median of $62,470.

How does cost of living change what that wage buys?

BEA RPP for Denver is 105.8 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $66,970 has about the same purchasing power as $63,299 at US-average prices.

How current is this data?

Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

Chefs and Head Cooks, Denver

$66,970

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO. Middle half of wages roughly $59,480 to $80,920.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median: +7.2%
US median: $62,470
Metro RPP: 105.8
Middle half: $59,480 to $80,920
OEWS employment: 1,820
SOC: 35-1011

Chefs and Head Cooks in Denver pay a median $66,970 (May 2025), 7.2% above the US median of $62,470. At local prices (RPP 105.8), that median buys about what $63,299 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$66,970 in Denver buys about what $63,299 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 105.8, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 146.9 vs all-items 105.8 (US = 100, 2024).

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Chefs and Head Cooks in nearby metros

Metro	Median	Middle half	RPP
Denver	$66,970	$59,480 to $80,920	105.8
Portland	$65,690	$56,200 to $79,450	105.4
San Francisco	$68,970	$48,110 to $90,530	115.6
Tulsa	$54,930	$36,080 to $63,680	89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Chefs and Head Cooks in Denver?: According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Chefs and Head Cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $66,970.
How does Denver pay compare to the US median for Chefs and Head Cooks?: Local median pay is 7.2% above the national OEWS median of $62,470.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?: BEA RPP for Denver is 105.8 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $66,970 has about the same purchasing power as $63,299 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?: Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

Federal, state, or local income taxes
Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.