SOC 35-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — Northwest Colorado
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northwest Colorado, CO is $46,290 per year, 23.6% above the national median of $37,450.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northwest Colorado, CO is $46,290 per year, 23.6% above the national median of $37,450. Half of workers earn between $37,960 and $51,210. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $35,950 and the ninetieth at $59,580.
The area has 370 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.8 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Boulder records the highest median at $48,020. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 283rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,950 | −4.0% |
| 25th | $37,960 | +1.4% |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | +23.6% |
| 75th | $51,210 | +36.7% |
| 90th | $59,580 | +59.1% |
| Mean | $46,230 | +23.4% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $48,020 | 820 | |
| 2 | Denver | $45,070 | 4,410 | |
| 3 | Greeley | $42,950 | 420 | |
| 4 | Fort Collins | $39,770 | 670 | |
| 5 | Grand Junction | $39,140 | 260 | |
| 6 | Colorado Springs | $39,110 | 1,090 | |
| 7 | Pueblo | $38,560 | 380 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $46,290 buys what $44,898 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 19.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,290as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,898US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,290 a year, 23.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,950 to $59,580 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 370 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $48,020.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Northwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $46,290, or $22.25 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $37,450, so pay in Northwest Colorado, CO is 23.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Northwest Colorado, CO earns more than $59,580 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,950 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Boulder, at $48,020 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 370 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Colorado, CO. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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