Lead Cook Salary in Buffalo Creek, CO

How much does a Lead Cook make in Buffalo Creek, CO?

As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Cook in Buffalo Creek, CO is $38,873 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.

However, a Lead Cook's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $47,448
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $34,973 to $43,361
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $31,421
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View as table View as graph 25% $34,973 10% $31,421 90% $47,448 75% $43,361 $38,873 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Cook Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary		 Monthly
Pay		 Weekly
Pay		 Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $43,361 $3,613 $834 $21
Average $38,873 $3,239 $748 $19
25th Percentile $34,973 $2,914 $673 $17
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Key Factors That Influence Lead Cook Salaries

A Lead Cook's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Cook Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Cook's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $37,255
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $37,548
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $38,133
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $39,005
  • Expert (over 8 years): $40,193
Levels Salary
Entry Level Lead Cook$37,255
Intermediate Level Lead Cook$37,548
Senior Level Lead Cook$38,133
Specialist Level Lead Cook$39,005
Expert Level Lead Cook$40,193
$37,255 0 yr
$37,548 < 2 yrs
$38,133 2-4 yrs
$39,005 5-8 yrs
$40,193 > 8 yrs
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What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lead Cooks

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $48,633
  • San Francisco: $48,101
  • Oakland: $47,087

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Cook's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Commitment (Mentioned in 8.4% Job Postings): An agreement or pledge to do something in the future a commitment to improve conditions at the prison especially : an engagement to assume a financial obligation at a future date.
  • Food Service (Mentioned in 3.6% Job Postings): The foodservice or catering industry includes the businesses, institutions, and companies which prepare meals outside the home.
  • Safety Regulations (Mentioned in 1.59% Job Postings): Regulations or rules that are put in place to ensure a product, event, etc., is safe and not dangerous.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Commitment 8.4%
Food Service 3.6%
Safety Regulations 1.59%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Cook's salary.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 19%.
  • Coaching: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Merchandising: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Commitment
 $46,259
19%
Coaching
 $42,760
10%
Merchandising
 $41,983
8%
Food Safety
 $41,594
7%
Leadership
 $41,594
7%
Foodservice
 $41,206
6%
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