Salaries › Cafeteria Cook › Colorado
Cafeteria Cook Salary in Colorado (2026)
$20.43 per hour · take-home ≈ $35,167/year ($2,931/month) for a single filer
Colorado ranks 17th of 51 states for Cafeteria Cook pay, with a median about 12% above the national average. Of the 9,440 Cafeteria Cook jobs BLS counts in Colorado, the typical worker earns $42,500 a year — though pay ranges from $36,290 for newcomers to $50,990 at the top.
Cafeteria Cook pay range in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $36,290 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $38,450 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $42,500 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $47,920 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $50,990 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 9,440 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Colorado (occupation code 35-2012, “Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria”).
Gross vs. take-home in Colorado
A median Cafeteria Cook salary of $42,500 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare, plus Colorado state income tax, a single filer keeps about $35,167 — an effective tax rate of 17.3%.
| Gross (median) | $42,500 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,920 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,251 |
| Colorado state income tax | −$1,162 |
| Take-home (annual) | $35,167 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,931 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Colorado paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cafeteria Cook make in Colorado?
- The median Cafeteria Cook salary in Colorado is $42,500 per year ($20.43 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $38,450 and $47,920.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cafeteria Cook in Colorado?
- On the median salary of $42,500, a single filer in Colorado takes home about $35,167 per year ($2,931 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.3%.
- How many Cafeteria Cook jobs are there in Colorado?
- BLS counts 9,440 Cafeteria Cook jobs in Colorado in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Cafeteria Cooks
Other salaries in Colorado
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified Colorado state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for Colorado.