Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $45,070 a year ($21.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,410 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,990 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $37,450. Pay here is 6% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $42,500. There are 2.7 cooks, institution and cafeteria per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $44,810, close to the median.
Pay range for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| 25th percentile | $40,520 | $19.48 |
| Median | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| 75th percentile | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,990 | $24.51 |
| Average (mean) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
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 | $3,755.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,877.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,733.46 |
| Weekly | $866.73 |
| Hourly | $21.67 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $45,070 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $48,020 | 820 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Cooks, All Other | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,970 | $32.20 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $45,070 a year, or $21.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of cooks, institution and cafeteria in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $50,990 a year. The top 25% earn $47,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,100 a year, and a quarter of cooks, institution and cafeteria earn $40,520 or less.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 4,410 cooks, institution and cafeteria are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.