Food Preparation Worker salary in Boulder, CO
Food Preparation Workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $39,690 a year ($19.08 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,200 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 2% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $38,960. There are 3.4 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $41,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,290 | $15.04 |
| 25th percentile | $36,700 | $17.64 |
| Median | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| 75th percentile | $45,730 | $21.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,200 | $24.14 |
| Average (mean) | $41,960 | $20.18 |
Half of food preparation 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 | $3,307.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,653.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,526.54 |
| Weekly | $763.27 |
| Hourly | $19.08 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $39,470 | 6,640 |
| Greeley, CO | $39,150 | 530 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,450 | 1,190 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $37,240 | 340 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $36,510 | 740 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,620 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for food preparation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $40,910 |
| District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| California | $39,350 |
| Colorado | $38,960 |
| Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| Hawaii | $38,160 |
| Oregon | $37,450 |
| North Dakota | $36,800 |
| New Hampshire | $36,780 |
| Arizona | $36,750 |
See Food Preparation Worker pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Bartender | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| 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 35-2021. 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 food preparation worker make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $39,690 a year, or $19.08 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,200 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $50,200 a year. The top 25% earn $45,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,290 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $36,700 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Boulder, CO?
About 650 food preparation workers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.