SOC 35-2014 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Restaurant — Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs, CO · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $38,000 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $37,390.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $38,000 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $37,390. Half of workers earn between $36,440 and $43,140. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $33,050 and the ninetieth at $46,570.
The area has 3,330 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 10.5 of every thousand jobs. Denver leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $44,370. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 437th of 486 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $33,050 | −11.6% |
| 25th | $36,440 | −2.5% |
| Median (50th) | $38,000 | +1.6% |
| 75th | $43,140 | +15.4% |
| 90th | $46,570 | +24.6% |
| Mean | $40,070 | +7.2% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | $44,370 | 15,410 | |
| 2 | Boulder | $42,220 | 2,190 | |
| 3 | Fort Collins | $38,370 | 1,930 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $36,900 | 1,000 | |
| 5 | Grand Junction | $36,420 | 690 | |
| 6 | Pueblo | $35,920 | 580 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Colorado Springs run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $38,000 buys what $36,857 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 1.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,000as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$36,857US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,000 a year, 1.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $33,050 to $46,570 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,330 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Denver, at $44,370.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Restaurant in Colorado Springs, CO?
The median annual wage is $38,000, or $18.27 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,390, so pay in Colorado Springs, CO is 1.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Colorado Springs, CO earns more than $46,570 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $33,050 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Denver, at $44,370 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,330 jobs in this occupation in Colorado Springs, CO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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