Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Denver, CO
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $45,070 a year — 20% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $37,119 take-home, or $3,093 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,228
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,794
- Medicare (1.45%)$654
- Colorado income tax$1,275
- Take-home pay$37,119
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,100 | $18.32 | $31,825 | $2,652 |
| 25th percentile | $40,520 | $19.48 | $33,663 | $2,805 |
| Median (50th) | $45,070 | $21.67 | $37,119 | $3,093 |
| 75th percentile | $47,900 | $23.03 | $39,268 | $3,272 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,990 | $24.51 | $41,615 | $3,468 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $45,070 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median cooks, institution and cafeteria's $37,119 take-home pay has the buying power of $35,090 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.97).
Best-paying cities for cooks, institution and cafeteria, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #4 of 37 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 | San Jose, CA | $51,880 | $42,029 | $38,062 |
| 3 | Boston, MA | $48,530 | $38,967 | $35,992 |
| 4 | Denver, CO | $45,070 | $37,119 | $35,090 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $44,830 | $36,621 | $34,936 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $49,140 | $40,027 | $34,622 |
| 7 | San Diego, CA | $47,100 | $38,537 | $34,443 |
| 8 | Riverside, CA | $44,470 | $36,565 | $34,352 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 37 metros →
About the job: cooks, institution and cafeteria
Prepare and cook large quantities of food for institutions, such as schools, hospitals, or cafeterias.
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +2.8% (about average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooks, institution and cafeteria make in Denver, CO?
The median cooks, institution and cafeteria salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $45,070 a year, or about $21.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $40,520 and $47,900.
What is a cooks, institution and cafeteria’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $45,070 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $37,119 a year ($3,093 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,275 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a cooks, institution and cafeteria?
Pay here is 20% above the national median of $37,450. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $35,090 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #4 of 37 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a cooks, institution and cafeteria afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 57% of a median cooks, institution and cafeteria’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $52,520
- Cooks, Restaurant — $44,370
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $39,850
- Waiter and Waitress — $39,650
- Food Preparation Worker — $39,470
- Dishwasher — $38,710
- Cooks, Fast Food — $38,530
- Bartender — $37,180
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $37,070
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper — $36,880
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop — $36,340