Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Colorado
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado earn a median of $42,500 a year ($20.43 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,990 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $37,450. Colorado ranks 17th of 51 states for cooks, institution and cafeteria pay. There are 3.3 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $43,690, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,290 | $17.45 |
| 25th percentile | $38,450 | $18.49 |
| Median | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| 75th percentile | $47,920 | $23.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| Average (mean) | $43,690 | $21.01 |
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 | $3,541.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,770.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,634.62 |
| Weekly | $817.31 |
| Hourly | $20.43 |
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 cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $48,020 | 820 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 | $31.44 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Colorado is $42,500 a year, or $20.43 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Colorado?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in Colorado earn at least $50,990 a year. The top 25% earn $47,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,290 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $38,450 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Colorado?
About 9,440 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.