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Chef Salary in Colorado Springs, CO β€” 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Colorado Springs's cost of living (index: 103). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Chef Salary in Colorado Springs β€” Key Numbers

$60,688
Median Salary
$44,136
25th Percentile
$82,997
75th Percentile
$108,892
90th Percentile
National median (Chef)$58,920
vs. National median+3.0%
Colorado Springs median household income$71,200
vs. City household income-14.8%

Cost of Living in Colorado Springs

Cost of Living Index
103(100 = avg)
Median Monthly Rent$995/mo
Rent-to-Income Ratio19.7%
Annual rent cost$11,940
Median Home Price$420,000
Home Price / Salary6.9Γ—
20% Down Payment$84,000
Years to save (20% rate)6.9 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3Γ— is affordable; above 5Γ— is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Colorado Springs

3.5%
Unemployment Rate
760,000
Metro Population
24 min
Avg Commute
34.8
Median Age

Colorado Springs has a metro population of 760,000, offering a sizeable job market with strong opportunities across key sectors. The 3.5% unemployment rate is below the national average, suggesting a tight labor market favorable to job seekers.

Chef Salary β€” Other Colorado Cities

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Chef make in Colorado Springs, CO?

The estimated median salary for a Chef in Colorado Springs is $60,688 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $58,920 adjusted by Colorado Springs's cost of living index (103). The typical salary range runs from $44,136 (25th percentile) to $82,997 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $108,892.

Is Colorado Springs affordable for a Chef?

On a $60,688 annual salary, a Chef in Colorado Springs would spend approximately 19.7% of gross monthly income on median rent ($995/month). This is well within the 28% affordability threshold, making Colorado Springs relatively affordable for this profession. The median home price of $420,000 is 6.9Γ— the annual salary.

How does a Chef's salary compare to Colorado Springs's overall income?

Colorado Springs's median household income is $71,200. A Chef earning the city-adjusted median of $60,688 earns 14.8% less than the typical Colorado Springs household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Colorado Springs has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.