Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $37,070 a year ($17.82 an hour), based on BLS data for 42,810 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,420 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $31,200. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $36,270. There are 27 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $38,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,230 | $15.98 |
| 25th percentile | $35,980 | $17.30 |
| Median | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| 75th percentile | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,420 | $21.36 |
| Average (mean) | $38,240 | $18.38 |
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 | $3,089.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,544.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,425.77 |
| Weekly | $712.88 |
| Hourly | $17.82 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $36,190 | 4,880 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $37,070 a year, or $17.82 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,230 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $44,420 a year. The top 25% earn $37,940 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,230 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $35,980 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 42,810 fast food and counter workers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.