Waiters and Waitresses salary in Colorado
Waiters and Waitresses in Colorado earn a median of $44,860 a year ($21.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 40,680 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,160 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $35,230. Colorado ranks 8th of 51 states for waiters and waitresses pay. There are 14 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,800 | $14.81 |
| 25th percentile | $32,610 | $15.68 |
| Median | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| 75th percentile | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,160 | $37.58 |
| Average (mean) | $51,240 | $24.64 |
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 | $3,738.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,869.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,725.38 |
| Weekly | $862.69 |
| Hourly | $21.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Waiters and Waitresses salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $49,870 | 2,670 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in Colorado is $44,860 a year, or $21.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Colorado?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in Colorado earn at least $78,160 a year. The top 25% earn $66,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,800 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $32,610 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Colorado?
About 40,680 waiters and waitresses are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.