Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Boulder, CO
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $36,190 a year ($17.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,880 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,460 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $36,270. There are 25 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $37,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,360 | $16.04 |
| 25th percentile | $35,300 | $16.97 |
| Median | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| 75th percentile | $37,930 | $18.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Average (mean) | $37,740 | $18.14 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,015.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,507.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,391.92 |
| Weekly | $695.96 |
| Hourly | $17.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $37,070 | 42,810 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $34,850 | 5,770 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $34,420 | 11,470 |
| Greeley, CO | $33,030 | 3,670 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $31,510 | 2,450 |
| Pueblo, CO | $31,100 | 2,160 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
See Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| Bartender | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,270 | $18.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $36,190 a year, or $17.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $45,460 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $45,460 a year. The top 25% earn $37,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,360 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $35,300 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Boulder, CO?
About 4,880 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.