Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Boulder, CO
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $48,020 a year ($23.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 820 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,430 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 13% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $42,500. There are 4.2 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,510, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| 25th percentile | $39,780 | $19.13 |
| Median | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| 75th percentile | $48,090 | $23.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,430 | $28.57 |
| Average (mean) | $46,510 | $22.36 |
Half of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,001.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,000.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,846.92 |
| Weekly | $923.46 |
| Hourly | $23.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $45,070 | 4,410 |
| Greeley, CO | $42,950 | 420 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $39,770 | 670 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $39,140 | 260 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $39,110 | 1,090 |
| Pueblo, CO | $38,560 | 380 |
Highest-paying states for cooks, institution and cafeteria
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $49,670 |
| Alaska | $48,580 |
| Massachusetts | $47,790 |
| Hawaii | $47,770 |
| Rhode Island | $46,570 |
| California | $46,390 |
| Vermont | $46,370 |
| Connecticut | $46,120 |
| New York | $45,880 |
| District of Columbia | $45,450 |
See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Bartender | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,270 | $18.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-2012. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Boulder, CO metro area is $48,020 a year, or $23.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $59,430 a year. The top 25% earn $48,090 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,060 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $39,780 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Boulder, CO?
About 820 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.