Food Preparation Worker salary in Colorado
Food Preparation Workers in Colorado earn a median of $38,960 a year ($18.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 12,080 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,000 for the top 10%. That is 10% higher than the national median of $35,320. Colorado ranks 4th of 51 states for food preparation workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 4.2 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $40,210, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $34,690 | $16.68 |
| Median | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| 75th percentile | $44,740 | $21.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Average (mean) | $40,210 | $19.33 |
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 | $3,246.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,623.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,498.46 |
| Weekly | $749.23 |
| Hourly | $18.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Preparation Worker salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $39,690 | 650 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
| Cooks, All Other | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 | $31.44 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for food preparation workers in Colorado is $38,960 a year, or $18.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in Colorado earn at least $49,000 a year. The top 25% earn $44,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,690 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Colorado?
About 12,080 food preparation workers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.