Chef/Head Cook in Pueblo, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Pueblo Stands

Let’s cut right to it: if you’re a Chef or Head Cook in Pueblo, the money is real, but it’s not Denver money. The median salary for this role is $58,974/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $28.35/hour. That’s the baseline—what half of all chefs in the metro area are making. Compared to the national average of $60,350/year, Pueblo sits just slightly below, which makes sense when you factor in the lower cost of living. The metro area has 222 jobs for this role, which isn’t a huge number, but it’s stable.

The job market for chefs here is slow but steady, with a 10-year job growth projection of 5%. That’s not explosive growth, but it’s also not declining. Most of this growth will come from replacing retiring chefs and the occasional new restaurant opening, not a major industry boom. For a chef with experience, this means opportunity is about relationships and reputation, not just responding to a flood of job postings.

Here’s how experience level typically breaks down in the Pueblo market:

Experience Level	Typical Annual Salary	What You Can Expect
Entry-Level	$42,000 - $48,000	Line cook, prep cook, or sous chef at a mid-tier restaurant. Often hourly, with potential for overtime.
Mid-Level	$52,000 - $62,000	Head cook at a pub, cafe, or institution like a hospital or university. Salaried position with benefits.
Senior/Head Chef	$65,000 - $75,000+	Executive chef at a hotel, large restaurant, or specialty venue. Profit-sharing or bonuses possible.
Expert/Owner	$70,000+ (variable)	Chef/owner of a successful small restaurant. Income is directly tied to business performance.

When you compare Pueblo to other Colorado cities, the gap is significant. A chef in Denver or Boulder might earn $65,000 - $80,000 for a similar role, but their rent could be double. Colorado Springs offers a middle ground, with salaries closer to $62,000 - $68,000 but with a cost of living that’s still higher than Pueblo’s. In Pueblo, your $58,974 goes further, especially if you’re willing to live a bit outside the downtown core.

Insider Tip: The higher-end salaries in Pueblo are often found in institutional settings—think hospitals, the university, or large hotels—not just in famous restaurants. These jobs offer stability, benefits, and a predictable schedule, which can be a huge draw if you’re tired of the restaurant grind.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A $58,974 salary in Pueblo feels solid, but let’s get real about what’s left after Uncle Sam and your landlord take their share. After federal taxes, state taxes (Colorado’s flat rate is 4.4%), and FICA, your take-home pay is roughly $45,500 per year, or about $3,790 per month.

Now, let’s look at your monthly budget. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Pueblo is $881/month. This gives you a solid starting point.

Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,790	Based on $58,974 median salary
Rent (1BR Avg.)	$881	Can vary from $750 to $1,100+
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$200 - $250	Higher in older, less efficient buildings
Groceries	$350 - $400	For one person, cooking at home helps
Car Payment/Insurance	$400 - $600	Essential in Pueblo; public transit is limited
Health Insurance	$200 - $400	Varies if employer-provided
Miscellaneous	$400 - $600	Dining out, entertainment, savings, etc.
Remaining	$909 - $1,459	This is your buffer for savings, debt, or emergencies

Can you afford to buy a home? Possibly, but it requires careful planning. With a Cost of Living Index of 92.4 (US avg = 100), Pueblo is 7.6% cheaper than the national average. The median home price in Pueblo is around $260,000. A 20% down payment is $52,000. With your take-home pay, saving for that down payment would take years without aggressive budgeting. However, a $58,974 salary can qualify you for an FHA loan with a much smaller down payment (3.5%). Your monthly mortgage payment (including taxes and insurance) on a $250,000 home with a 5% down payment would be roughly $1,600-$1,800. This is feasible but would consume nearly half your take-home pay, leaving little room for savings or other expenses. It’s a tight fit on a single income.

Insider Tip: Many local chefs live in Pueblo West or the Bessemer area, where you can find older homes or townhouses for under $200,000. Commutes are short (15-20 minutes to downtown), and the lower mortgage payment can be a game-changer for your monthly cash flow.

Where the Jobs Are: Pueblo's Major Employers

The job market for Chef/Head Cooks in Pueblo is dominated by a few key sectors: healthcare, education, hospitality, and a handful of independent restaurants. Here are the specific employers to target:

1. Parkview Medical Center and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center: The two major hospitals are constant hirers for Chef/Head Cook positions in their cafeterias and patient services. These are salaried, full-time jobs with excellent benefits, regular hours (no late nights), and union protections. Pay is competitive, often in the $52,000 - $60,000 range. Hiring trends are steady, with openings occurring every 6-12 months as staff retire or move on.

2. Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo): The university’s dining services, managed by Sodexo, hire for chef-level positions to oversee campus eateries and catering. It’s a stable gig with the academic calendar rhythm—busy during the school year, quieter in summer. Salaries typically fall in the mid $50,000s. Check the CSU Pueblo and Sodexo career pages directly.

3. The Pueblo Memorial Hall & Convention Center: This city-owned venue hosts banquets, conventions, and concerts. They employ an in-house catering chef/head cook. It’s a unique role that blends event management with culinary execution. Jobs here are rare but coveted; watch the City of Pueblo job board.

4. Hotel & Casino Properties (The Pueblo Lagoons, Santa Fe Hotel): The larger hotels often have restaurants or banquet facilities. Positions like “Executive Chef” or “Chef de Cuisine” can pop up here, especially at the Pueblo Lagoons. These roles often include tip pools or bonuses and can pay at the higher end of the local scale ($65,000+).

5. Independent Restaurants (Metro Area): This is the most fluid market. Notable establishments like The Union Depot, Brues Ale House, or The Filling Station may have openings. The key here is networking. Many of these jobs are never advertised online; they’re filled through word-of-mouth. Go in for a meal, talk to the chef, and leave your card. The hiring trend is opportunistic, not cyclical.

6. School Districts (Pueblo School District 60 & 70): School kitchens require head cooks to manage staff and menus for thousands of students. These are union jobs, typically with a $40,000 - $50,000 salary, but they come with summers off, holidays, and a pension, which is a huge benefit for long-term planning.

Insider Tip: The most lucrative and stable jobs are in institutional settings (hospitals, schools, universities). The independent restaurant scene is passion-driven but can be financially unstable. If you need benefits and a predictable paycheck, pivot your search toward institutions first.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado does not have a state-level chef license. However, the law requires that a “Person in Charge” of a food establishment must demonstrate knowledge of food safety. This is typically achieved by passing a nationally recognized food protection manager certification exam.

• Required Certification: ServSafe Manager Certification (or equivalent, like NRFSP, Prometric, or 360training). This is the industry standard.
• Cost: The exam and course materials cost approximately $150 - $200. This is a one-time fee, though you’ll need to renew every 5 years (the renewal exam is cheaper, around $90).
• Process & Timeline: You can take an online course and proctored exam, which takes about 8-10 hours of study and a 2-hour exam. You can be certified in as little as one week. Many employers will pay for this certification if you’re hired, but it’s a huge advantage to have it on your resume before applying.
• Local Resources: Check with Pueblo Community College for any culinary or food safety workshops. The Pueblo City-County Health Department is the regulatory body for food establishments; their website has resources on food codes, but they do not issue licenses directly.

Insider Tip: Don’t just get the certification—frame it on your resume as “ServSafe Certified, trained in HACCP principles and Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment regulations.” This shows you’re proactive and understand local compliance, which is a major plus for any employer.

Best Neighborhoods for Chef/Head Cooks

Your choice of neighborhood affects your commute, budget, and lifestyle. In Pueblo, you don’t need to live downtown to be close to the action.

1. Downtown / Historic Union Avenue District: The heart of the local food scene. You’re within walking distance of places like The Union Depot and Brues Ale House. The vibe is walkable, with art galleries and the historic arcade. Rent: $900 - $1,200 for a 1BR. Best for young chefs who want to be in the mix. Commute to most jobs is 5-10 minutes.

2. North Side (Near PCC & City Park): A quiet, established neighborhood with older homes and tree-lined streets. It’s central, offering easy access to downtown, the hospital corridor, and the university. Rent: $850 - $1,050 for a 1BR. Great for chefs seeking a balanced lifestyle. Commute is easy, usually under 15 minutes.

3. Pueblo West: A sprawling suburb west of the highway. It’s more car-dependent but offers more square footage for your money. You’ll find newer apartment complexes and single-family homes. Rent: $800 - $1,000 for a 1BR. Ideal for chefs who want a quieter home life and don’t mind a 15-20 minute commute to downtown or the hospitals.

4. Bessemer / Bessemer Park: A historic neighborhood with a strong community feel. It’s more residential and affordable, with a mix of rentals and older homes. It’s close to the State Fairgrounds and the Steelworks Museum. Rent: $750 - $950 for a 1BR. A practical choice for a chef on a tighter budget, still with a reasonable 15-minute commute to most jobs.

Insider Tip: If you’re working at the hospital or university, living in the North Side or Pueblo West minimizes your commute. If you’re working downtown, the North Side or Bessemer offer the best balance of proximity and affordability.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 5% job growth over 10 years means advancement is about specialization and reputation, not just waiting for a new restaurant to open. Here’s how to build a long-term career in Pueblo:

• Specialty Premiums: You can boost your income by developing a specialty. A chef skilled in large-scale institutional cooking (for hospitals/schools) or banquet/event catering is more valuable than a general line cook. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are a massive advantage in Pueblo’s community and can lead to management roles. Expertise in farm-to-table sourcing is also a growing niche, as Pueblo has a strong agricultural base.
• Advancement Paths: The path from Line Cook → Sous Chef → Head Cook → Executive Chef is standard in restaurants. In institutional settings, the path is Cook → Food Service Supervisor → Chef Manager → Director of Culinary Operations. The key to advancing is taking on management duties—staff scheduling, inventory ordering, cost control—even before you get the title.
• 10-Year Outlook: The outlook is stable but requires adaptability. The $58,974 median won’t jump dramatically unless you move into a director-level role or open your own place. The real growth is in job security—mastering the institutional path means you’re less vulnerable to the fickle nature of the restaurant industry. The growth will come from restaurants that cater to the tourism around the State Fair and cultural events, but this is a niche. For most, long-term growth means moving into management or consulting.

Insider Tip: The fastest way to a six-figure salary in Pueblo is not through becoming a better cook, but through becoming a better businessperson. Learn cost control, menu engineering, and staff management. Consider a role with a city or county institution where your culinary skills are paired with a public service pension—a unique long-term benefit in this field.

The Verdict: Is Pueblo Right for You?

Pueblo offers a unique proposition for a chef: a lower cost of living that can offset a slightly below-average salary, paired with a stable job market in institutional settings. It’s not a culinary mecca like Denver or Boulder, but for the right chef, it’s a place to build a sustainable career and life.

Pros	Cons
Low Cost of Living: Your $58,974 salary goes much further here than in major metros.	Limited Fine Dining Scene: Fewer high-end, creative restaurant opportunities.
Stable Institutional Jobs: Hospitals and schools offer reliable, salaried positions with benefits.	Slower Job Market: Fewer openings mean less job-hopping opportunity.
Short Commutes: Easy to live close to work, saving time and gas money.	Lower Ceiling for Salary: Advancement to high six-figure salaries is rare without owning a business.
Strong Community Vibe: Easier to build a reputation and network in a smaller city.	Lifestyle is Slower: Fewer nightlife and dining options compared to larger cities.

Final Recommendation: Pueblo is an excellent choice for a chef in the mid-senior level who is seeking stability, a lower cost of living, and a balanced lifestyle. It’s particularly well-suited for those interested in institutional cooking, family life, or long-term financial planning (like buying a home). It’s less ideal for a young, ambitious chef seeking a fast-paced, high-competition creative environment. If your priority is a reliable paycheck, a shorter commute, and the ability to afford a home on a chef’s salary, Pueblo is a compelling and practical option.

FAQs

1. I’m a chef from a big city. Will I take a pay cut moving to Pueblo?
Yes, likely. The median of $58,974 is lower than in Denver or Chicago. However, you must weigh this against the Cost of Living Index of 92.4 and much lower rent. Your quality of life and savings rate may actually improve.

2. Is it hard to find a job as a chef in Pueblo?
It depends on your flexibility. Jobs at hospitals and schools are competitive but have openings. Restaurant jobs are harder to find without local connections. The insider move is to get your ServSafe certification first, then target institutional employers directly.

3. What’s the culinary scene like?
It’s modest and community-focused. You’ll find great Mexican food (a staple), solid pub fare, and some farm-to-table gems. There’s no 24/7 fine dining scene, but there’s a genuine pride in local establishments. The State Fair is a major event that boosts demand for chefs each summer.

4. Can I live comfortably in Pueblo on a chef’s salary?
Yes, comfortably. With an average 1BR rent of $881 and a median salary of $58,974, you have significant breathing room compared to larger cities. Budgeting for a house is possible, especially if you look in areas like Pueblo West or Bessemer.

5. Are there opportunities for side work or catering?
Yes, and this is where you can supplement your income. Once you establish a reputation, you can take on private catering, pop-up dinners, or consultant work for events. The local market is small but supportive of culinary entrepreneurship.