Food Preparation Workers pay in Colorado
In Colorado, the median pay for food preparation workers is $18.73 an hour ($38,960 a year). About 12,080 people work in this job there.
That is 10% higher than the U.S. median ($35,320). Colorado ranks 4th of 51 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for food preparation workers in Colorado
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $14.81 | $30,800 |
| 25% of workers | $16.68 | $34,690 |
| Half of workers (median) | $18.73 | $38,960 |
| 75% of workers | $21.51 | $44,740 |
| 90% of workers | $23.56 | $49,000 |
Food Preparation Workers pay in Colorado metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder | $39,690 | 650 |
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial | $39,470 | 6,640 |
| Greeley | $39,150 | 530 |
| Colorado Springs | $37,450 | 1,190 |
| Grand Junction | $37,240 | 340 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland | $36,510 | 740 |
| Pueblo | $35,620 | 260 |
Colorado unemployment rate: 4% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for food preparation workers
- Typical education to start: No formal educational credential (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 3 to 6 months (O*NET)
- Training on the job: Short-term on-the-job training (BLS)
- Job outlook: -3% over ten years, declining · about 135,700 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | $36,270 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 |
| Bakers | $40,650 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.