Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria Salary in Boulder, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Boulder, CO

Median annual salary $43,150 +18.4% vs national
Median hourly $20.74
10th percentile $35,970
90th percentile $64,960
Employed locally 860
National median $36,450

Compare Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary & buying power

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Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
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Boulder, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $35,970
    25th
    $39,730
    50th (median)
    $43,150
    75th
    $46,670
    90th
    $64,960

    Boulder economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,772 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary vs area income 42% Median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary is 58% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $54,840
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area $50,150
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $48,940
    Washington $48,260

    Nearby metros — Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $50,290
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $49,850
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $47,920
    Hanford-Corcoran, CA $47,920
    Fairbanks-College, AK $47,410
    Connecticut $45,870

    Related occupations in Boulder, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers$36,130
    Waiters and Waitresses$45,330
    Cooks, Restaurant$41,390
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$52,570
    Bartenders$36,820
    Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$41,600

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria make per hour in Boulder?

    The median hourly wage for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Boulder, CO is $20.74, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $28.57 or more per hour.

    Is Boulder above or below average for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salaries?

    The median Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria salary in Boulder, CO is 18.4% above the national median of $36,450. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria in Boulder?

    Entry-level Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria (10th percentile) earn around $35,970 per year in Boulder, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $39,730.