Waiters and Waitresses salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Waiters and Waitresses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $39,650 a year ($19.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 20,750 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,380 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $35,230. Pay here is 12% lower than the Colorado statewide median of $44,860. There are 13 waiters and waitresses per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,870, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for waiters and waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,010 | $14.91 |
| 25th percentile | $33,770 | $16.23 |
| Median | $39,650 | $19.06 |
| 75th percentile | $74,180 | $35.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,380 | $37.69 |
| Average (mean) | $51,870 | $24.94 |
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 | $3,304.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,652.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,525 |
| Weekly | $762.50 |
| Hourly | $19.06 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $37,070 | $17.82 |
| Bartender | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $39,850 | $19.16 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $52,520 | $25.25 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 | $18.61 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $45,070 | $21.67 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $38,530 | $18.53 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $66,970 | $32.20 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,770 | $17.20 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $44,200 | $21.25 |
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 35-3031. 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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for waiters and waitresses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $39,650 a year, or $19.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid waiters and waitresses make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of waiters and waitresses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $78,380 a year. The top 25% earn $74,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for waiters and waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,010 a year, and a quarter of waiters and waitresses earn $33,770 or less.
How many waiters and waitresses work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 20,750 waiters and waitresses are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.