Food Service Manager salary in Colorado
Food Service Managers in Colorado earn a median of $79,870 a year ($38.40 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $66,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,060 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $69,390. Colorado ranks 8th of 51 states for food service managers pay. There are 0.85 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.55). The average (mean) salary is $89,350, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $66,140 | $31.80 |
| 25th percentile | $68,750 | $33.05 |
| Median | $79,870 | $38.40 |
| 75th percentile | $99,480 | $47.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $123,060 | $59.17 |
| Average (mean) | $89,350 | $42.96 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $6,655.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,327.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,071.92 |
| Weekly | $1,535.96 |
| Hourly | $38.40 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Food Service Manager salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $84,820 | 170 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $79,490 | 1,320 |
| Pueblo, CO | $79,100 | 40 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $78,930 | 110 |
| Greeley, CO | $78,080 | n/a |
| Grand Junction, CO | $74,740 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $72,140 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $171,140 | $82.28 |
| Construction Manager | $124,830 | $60.02 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $110,530 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $183,810 | $88.37 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $97,440 | $46.84 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $100,080 | $48.12 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $118,440 | $56.94 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $152,730 | $73.43 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Lodging Manager | $91,750 | $44.11 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $107,120 | $51.50 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $97,000 | $46.63 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $93,000 | $44.71 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. 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 service manager make in Colorado?
The median salary for food service managers in Colorado is $79,870 a year, or $38.40 an hour. Pay ranges from $66,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $123,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of food service managers in Colorado earn at least $123,060 a year. The top 25% earn $99,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $66,140 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $68,750 or less.
How many food service managers work in Colorado?
About 2,440 food service managers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.