Colorado Median
$42,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.41
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+18% vs US median
US median $35,880
State Rank
#7 of 49
1,900 employed here
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Colorado?
Cooks, Short Order in Colorado take home a median of $42,450 annually — roughly $20.41 an hour — which runs 18% above the national median of $35,880.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $32,030 while the top 10% make $64,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $35,220 and $45,760 a year.
Cook, Short Order salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,030 | $15.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $35,220 | $16.93 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $42,450 | $20.41 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,760 | $22.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $64,840 | $31.17 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories for Cook, Short Order pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cook, Short Order salary in other states
Arizona $46,630Rhode Island $46,250Massachusetts $44,290Hawaii $43,110California $42,930Washington $42,760Connecticut $42,450District of Columbia $42,450New Jersey $40,720Idaho $40,090Vermont $38,830Oregon $38,550Delaware $38,500Missouri $38,490Utah $38,010Alaska $37,780Nevada $37,780Illinois $37,440New Mexico $37,150Maryland $36,800New York $35,550Maine $35,360Oklahoma $35,130Michigan $34,510Florida $34,240Iowa $34,090Montana $33,240South Dakota $32,380New Hampshire $32,330Minnesota $32,150Kentucky $31,840North Carolina $31,290Virginia $31,200Nebraska $30,530Arkansas $30,510Tennessee $30,210South Carolina $29,640Ohio $29,290Mississippi $28,180Wisconsin $28,130West Virginia $27,440Kansas $27,400Georgia $26,870Louisiana $26,260Texas $25,320Alabama $22,330Indiana $21,940Pennsylvania $19,910
Working as a Cook, Short Order in Colorado
Nationally, about 139,000 people work as Cooks, Short Order in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($42,450) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Cook, Short Order make in Colorado?
The median Cook, Short Order salary in Colorado is $42,450 per year, or about $20.41 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,030 at the entry level to $64,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Cooks, Short Order about 18% more than the national median of $35,880. Colorado ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Cooks, Short Order?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,450 a year. About 1,900 Cooks, Short Order are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cook, Short Order salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.