Waiters and Waitresses salary in Boulder, CO
Waiters and Waitresses in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $49,870 a year ($23.97 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,670 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,920 for the top 10%. That is 42% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 11% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $44,860. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,800 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $35,360 | $17.00 |
| Median | $49,870 | $23.97 |
| 75th percentile | $71,880 | $34.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,920 | $38.91 |
| Average (mean) | $55,310 | $26.59 |
Half of waiters and waitresses 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 | $4,155.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,077.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,918.08 |
| Weekly | $959.04 |
| Hourly | $23.97 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $47,360 | 2,740 |
| Greeley, CO | $46,480 | 1,300 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $46,230 | 4,330 |
| Pueblo, CO | $45,500 | 850 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $43,730 | 1,020 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $39,650 | 20,750 |
Highest-paying states for waiters and waitresses
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $62,390 |
| Vermont | $59,140 |
| Washington | $56,130 |
| Oregon | $48,410 |
| District of Columbia | $47,850 |
| New York | $47,020 |
| New Jersey | $44,960 |
| Colorado | $44,860 |
| Virginia | $44,760 |
| Arizona | $43,950 |
See Waiters and Waitresses pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,190 | $17.40 |
| Bartender | $42,520 | $20.44 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,930 | $18.72 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $42,220 | $20.30 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $48,020 | $23.09 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,690 | $19.08 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 | $18.15 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $61,740 | $29.68 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $39,270 | $18.88 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3031. 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 waiters and waitresses make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Boulder, CO metro area is $49,870 a year, or $23.97 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $80,920 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $80,920 a year. The top 25% earn $71,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,800 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $35,360 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Boulder, CO?
About 2,670 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.