Food Preparation Worker salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Food Preparation Workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $39,470 a year ($18.98 an hour), based on BLS data for 6,640 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,600 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 1% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $38,960. There are 4.1 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $40,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $35,590 | $17.11 |
| Median | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| 75th percentile | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,600 | $23.36 |
| Average (mean) | $40,470 | $19.46 |
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 | $3,289.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,644.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,518.08 |
| Weekly | $759.04 |
| Hourly | $18.98 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $39,690 | 650 |
| 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Cooks, All Other | $49,780 | $23.93 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,970 | $32.20 |
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 35-2021. 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $39,470 a year, or $18.98 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $48,600 a year. The top 25% earn $44,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $35,590 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 6,640 food preparation workers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.