Wage Benchmark Overview
Median Annual Salary
$42,500$20.43 per hour · $3,542 monthlyRun the numbers on your own pay
Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.
Take-Home Pay Explorer
Cooks, Restaurant Wage Percentiles in Boulder, CO
Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.
| Earning Tier | Hourly Wage | Monthly Gross | Annual Gross | Est. Annual Net (CO) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $16.97/hr | $2,942 | $35,300 | $29,699 |
| 25th Percentile | $18.13/hr | $3,142 | $37,700 | $31,522 |
| Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark | $20.43/hr | $3,542 | $42,500 | $35,167 |
| 75th Percentile | $22.45/hr | $3,892 | $46,700 | $38,357 |
| 90th Percentile | $24.38/hr | $4,225 | $50,700 | $41,395 |
Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Boulder, CO
A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$42,500 measures up against local economic conditions:
Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles
Compare restaurant cooks salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:
Frequently Asked Questions About Cooks, Restaurant Pay in Boulder, CO
What is the median salary for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO?
The official BLS median annual wage for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO is $42,500, which equates to approximately $3,542 per month or $20.43 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.
What is the hourly pay for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO?
The median hourly wage for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO is $20.43 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $16.97/hour and one in ten earned more than $24.38/hour.
What is the pay range for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO?
BLS wage estimates for restaurant cooks in Boulder, CO span from $35,300 at the 10th percentile to $37,700 at the 25th, $46,700 at the 75th, and $50,700 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.
How much do restaurant cooks take home after taxes in Boulder, CO?
On a median gross salary of $42,500, an estimated $35,167 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,353 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,333 (an effective rate of 17.3%).
How much do restaurant cooks make per month in Boulder, CO?
On the median annual salary of $42,500, gross monthly income is $3,542. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,931 per month (or $1,353 every two weeks).
Is $42,500 a good salary in Boulder, CO?
At $42,500, the median salary for restaurant cooks is 40.9% of the Boulder, CO median household income ($103,994). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.2, making regional consumer goods and services 5.2% more expensive than the U.S. average.