Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Colorado
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for cooks, institution and cafeteria in Colorado was $42,500 +13.5% vs national
Colorado vs United States
| Colorado | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $42,500 | $37,450 |
| Median hourly | $20.43 | $18.01 |
| Employment | 9,440 | 441,050 |
| Location quotient | 1.16 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (Colorado) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
The mean wage of $43,690 sits 2.8% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
At $20.43 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $42,494 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $42,500.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Colorado?
The median annual wage in Colorado is $42,500 ($20.43 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does Colorado compare to the national average for cooks, institution and cafeteria?
The Colorado median of $42,500 is 13.5% higher than the U.S. median of $37,450.
How many cooks, institution and cafeteria work in Colorado?
Approximately 9,440 are employed in Colorado, per BLS OES.