Food Preparation Worker salary in Grand Junction, CO
Food Preparation Workers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn a median of $37,240 a year ($17.90 an hour), based on BLS data for 340 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,560 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $35,320. Pay here is 4% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $38,960. There are 5.0 food preparation workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,850, close to the median.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Grand Junction, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $32,550 | $15.65 |
| Median | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| 75th percentile | $37,990 | $18.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,560 | $21.42 |
| Average (mean) | $36,850 | $17.71 |
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 | $3,103.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,551.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,432.31 |
| Weekly | $716.15 |
| Hourly | $17.90 |
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 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $39,470 | 6,640 |
| Greeley, CO | $39,150 | 530 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,450 | 1,190 |
| 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 Grand Junction, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Cooks, Restaurant | $36,420 | $17.51 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $33,980 | $16.34 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $39,140 | $18.82 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $31,510 | $15.15 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $45,760 | $22.00 |
| Bartender | $36,180 | $17.39 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $34,190 | $16.44 |
| Dishwasher | $33,730 | $16.22 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $34,880 | $16.77 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,810 | $29.72 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Grand Junction, 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 Grand Junction, CO?
The median salary for food preparation workers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area is $37,240 a year, or $17.90 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food preparation workers make in Grand Junction, CO?
The top 10% of food preparation workers in the Grand Junction, CO metro area earn at least $44,560 a year. The top 25% earn $37,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for food preparation workers in Grand Junction, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of food preparation workers earn $32,550 or less.
How many food preparation workers work in Grand Junction, CO?
About 340 food preparation workers are employed in the Grand Junction, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.