Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Boulder, CO
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $48,020 a year — 28% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $39,360 take-home, or $3,280 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$3,582
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,977
- Medicare (1.45%)$696
- Colorado income tax$1,404
- Take-home pay$39,360
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 | $31,035 | $2,586 |
| 25th percentile | $39,780 | $19.13 | $33,101 | $2,758 |
| Median (50th) | $48,020 | $23.09 | $39,360 | $3,280 |
| 75th percentile | $48,090 | $23.12 | $39,413 | $3,284 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,430 | $28.57 | $48,025 | $4,002 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $48,020 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $39,360 take-home pay has the buying power of $37,413 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 1.5× the national concentration of cooks, institution and cafeteria jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #11 of 165 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $51,530 | $43,584 | $39,218 |
| 2 | Springfield, MA | $46,440 | $37,393 | $38,926 |
| 3 | Anchorage, AK | $48,290 | $40,981 | $38,874 |
| 4 | Fargo, ND | $41,120 | $35,220 | $38,758 |
| 5 | Burlington, VT | $47,390 | $39,104 | $38,737 |
| 6 | Spokane, WA | $45,330 | $38,603 | $38,470 |
| 7 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 8 | Providence, RI | $46,350 | $38,301 | $37,634 |
| 11 | Boulder, CO | $48,020 | $39,360 | $37,413 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 165 metros →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Denver, CO — $45,070
- Fort Collins, CO — $39,770
- Colorado Springs, CO — $39,110
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Boulder, CO?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $48,020 a year, or about $23.09 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $39,780 and $48,090.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $48,020 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $39,360 a year ($3,280 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,404 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 28% above the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $37,413 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #11 of 165 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 55% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $52,020
- Waiter and Waitress — $49,870
- Bartender — $42,520
- Cooks, Restaurant — $42,220
- Food Preparation Worker — $39,690
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $38,930
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $38,220
- Dishwasher — $37,750
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $37,460
- Cooks, Fast Food — $36,250
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $36,190