Cook Salary in Colorado (2026)
$20.00 per hour · take-home ≈ $34,484/year ($2,874/month) for a single filer
Cook pay range in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $34,590 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $36,930 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $41,600 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $45,740 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $49,650 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 30,600 Cook jobs in Colorado (occupation code 35-2014, “Cooks, Restaurant”).
Gross vs. take-home in Colorado
A median Cook salary of $41,600 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 $34,484 — an effective tax rate of 17.1%.
| Gross (median) | $41,600 |
| Federal income tax | −$2,812 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,182 |
| Colorado state income tax | −$1,122 |
| Take-home (annual) | $34,484 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $2,874 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free Colorado paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Cook make in Colorado?
- The median Cook salary in Colorado is $41,600 per year ($20.00 per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $36,930 and $45,740.
- What is the take-home pay for a Cook in Colorado?
- On the median salary of $41,600, a single filer in Colorado takes home about $34,484 per year ($2,874 per month) after federal tax, FICA, and state income tax — an effective tax rate of 17.1%.
- How many Cook jobs are there in Colorado?
- BLS counts 30,600 Cook jobs in Colorado in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for 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.