Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$42,700$20.53 per hour · $3,558 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.
Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $17.07/hr | $2,958 | $35,500 | $29,851 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.22/hr | $3,158 | $37,900 | $31,673 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.53/hr | $3,558 | $42,700 | $35,319 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.60/hr | $3,917 | $47,000 | $38,585 |
| 90th Percentile | $24.52/hr | $4,250 | $51,000 | $41,623 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,700 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $42,700, which equates to approximately $3,558 per month or $20.53 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $20.53 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $17.07/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.52/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $35,500 at the 10th percentile to $37,900 at the 25th, $47,000 at the 75th, and $51,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
On a median gross salary of $42,700, an estimated $35,319 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,358 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,381 (an effective rate of 17.3%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
On the median annual salary of $42,700, gross monthly income is $3,558. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,943 per month (or $1,358 every two weeks).
Is $42,700 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
At $42,700, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 40.4% of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO median household income ($105,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.