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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Colorado

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Colorado?

Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics

$42,500
Median Annual Salary
▲ +3.9% vs 2024
$43,690
Mean Salary
$42,500
Median Salary
$20.43
Hourly Rate
9,440 people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary by percentile in Colorado

BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Colorado — 2025 BLS percentilesHorizontal bars showing 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile annual salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado.10thBottom 10% earn less than $36,290$36,29025th25% earn less than $38,450$38,450MedianHalf earn more than $42,500$42,50075th75% earn less than $47,920$47,92090thTop 10% earn more than $50,990$50,990

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado earn a median salary of $42,500 per year ($3,541/month). This is 9.9% above the national average of $38,684. Colorado ranks #17 out of 51 states for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay. Approximately 9,440 people work in this occupation across Colorado. Salaries increased by 3.9% compared to 2024.

About This Job: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.

Top Skills

Speaking
3.12
Monitoring
3.12
Service Orientation
3.12
Operations Monitoring
3.12
Quality Control Analysis
3.12

Key Knowledge Areas

English Language
3.6
Food Production
3.58
Customer and Personal Service
3.56
Mathematics
3.54
Administration and Management
3.34
Typical Education: High School Diploma or Equivalent (71.1% of workers)

Source: O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor

Salary Range: Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado

Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado range from $36,290 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $50,990 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $38,450 and $47,920.

Median $42,500
P10: $36,290 P25: $38,450 P75: $47,920 P90: $50,990
10th
$36,290
25th
$38,450
Median
$42,500
75th
$47,920
90th
$50,990
Percentile Annual Salary Hourly Rate Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level) $36,290 $17.45 $3,024
25th Percentile $38,450 $18.49 $3,204
Median (50th) $42,500 $20.43 $3,541
75th Percentile $47,920 $23.04 $3,993
90th Percentile (Experienced) $50,990 $24.51 $4,249

Note: The mean (average) salary of $43,690 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.

📊 How Does This Compare?

#17
Colorado ranks #17 of 51 states
$38,684
National avg. for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
+9.9%
vs. national average
Above Average

Similar Jobs That Pay More in Colorado:

What does this salary really buy? See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Colorado adjusted for cost of living →

How much do you actually take home? See Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria take-home pay in Colorado after taxes →

Explore Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Data in Colorado

Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary by State

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay across states — sorted by highest median salary.

View all 50 states →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make in Colorado?
The median annual salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado is $42,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $43,690.
What is the salary range for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado?
Salaries for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado range from $36,290 at the 10th percentile to $50,990 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $38,450 and $47,920.
What is the starting salary for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado?
Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria positions in Colorado typically start around $36,290 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $38,450 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 9,440 people are employed as Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado.
What is the hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Colorado is approximately $20.43 per hour.

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Data Source & Methodology

Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.

Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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