Chef Salary in Colorado (2026)
$31.44 per hour · take-home ≈ $52,560/year ($4,380/month) for a single filer
Colorado ranks 14th of 51 states for Chef pay, with a median about 3% above the national average. Of the 3,970 Chef jobs BLS counts in Colorado, the typical worker earns $65,400 a year — though pay ranges from $46,330 for newcomers to $93,270 at the top.
Chef pay range in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $46,330 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $58,220 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $65,400 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $79,420 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $93,270 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 3,970 Chef jobs in Colorado (occupation code 35-1011, “Chefs and Head Cooks”).
Gross vs. take-home in Colorado
A median Chef salary of $65,400 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Colorado state income tax, a single filer keeps about $52,560 — an effective tax rate of 19.6%.
| Gross (median) | $65,400 |
| Federal income tax | −$5,668 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$5,003 |
| Colorado state income tax | −$2,169 |
| Take-home (annual) | $52,560 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $4,380 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Colorado paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Chef make in Colorado?
- The median Chef salary in Colorado is $65,400 per year ($31.44 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $58,220 and $79,420.
- What is the take-home pay for a Chef in Colorado?
- On the median salary of $65,400, a single filer in Colorado takes home about $52,560 per year ($4,380 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 19.6%.
- How many Chef jobs are there in Colorado?
- BLS counts 3,970 Chef jobs in Colorado in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Chefs
Other salaries in Colorado
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Colorado state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Colorado.