SOC 35-2015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cooks, Short Order — Fort Collins
Fort Collins-Loveland, CO · 2 metro areas compared
In Fort Collins, CO the median wage is $32,630.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Fort Collins, CO the median wage is $32,630. That is 9.1% lower than the national median of $35,880. Pay ranges from under $31,390 at the tenth percentile to more than $40,210 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $31,390 to $37,840.
Within the state, Denver records the highest median at $44,200. Of the 423 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 422nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,390 | −12.5% |
| 25th | $31,390 | −12.5% |
| Median (50th) | $32,630 | −9.1% |
| 75th | $37,840 | +5.5% |
| 90th | $40,210 | +12.1% |
| Mean | $34,900 | −2.7% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Denver | $44,200 | 1,010 | |
| 2 | Colorado Springs | $32,030 | 190 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Fort Collins run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $32,630 buys what $31,649 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 11.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$32,630as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$31,649US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $32,630 a year, 9.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,390 to $40,210 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Denver, at $44,200.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cooks, Short Order in Fort Collins, CO?
The median annual wage is $32,630, or $15.69 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,880, so pay in Fort Collins, CO is 9.1% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Fort Collins, CO earns more than $40,210 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,390 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Denver, at $44,200 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data