Food Preparation Worker salary in Colorado Springs, CO
Food Preparation Workers in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area earn a median of $37,450 a year ($18.01 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,190 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,680 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $38,960. There are 3.8 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.65). The average (mean) salary is $39,300, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Colorado Springs, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,710 | $16.21 |
| 25th percentile | $34,060 | $16.38 |
| Median | $37,450 | $18.01 |
| 75th percentile | $42,180 | $20.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,680 | $23.41 |
| Average (mean) | $39,300 | $18.89 |
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 | $3,120.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,560.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,440.38 |
| Weekly | $720.19 |
| Hourly | $18.01 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,450 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Preparation Worker salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $39,690 | 650 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $39,470 | 6,640 |
| Greeley, CO | $39,150 | 530 |
| 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 Colorado Springs, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,560 | $17.58 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,110 | $18.80 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $32,030 | $15.40 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $46,230 | $22.23 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,390 | $21.82 |
| Bartender | $37,700 | $18.13 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,350 | $17.47 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $35,660 | $17.14 |
| Dishwasher | $35,030 | $16.84 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $59,180 | $28.45 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,710 | $17.17 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado Springs, 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 Colorado Springs, CO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area is $37,450 a year, or $18.01 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Colorado Springs, CO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area earn at least $48,680 a year. The top 25% earn $42,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Colorado Springs, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,710 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $34,060 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Colorado Springs, CO?
About 1,190 food preparation workers are employed in the Colorado Springs, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.