SOC 35-9099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other — Northwest Colorado
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 6 metro areas compared
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Northwest Colorado, CO is $35,450 per year, close to the national median of $35,840 for the same occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Northwest Colorado, CO is $35,450 per year, close to the national median of $35,840 for the same occupation. Half of workers earn between $30,800 and $38,130. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $30,800 and the ninetieth at $45,790.
Employment stands at 150, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Boulder records the highest median at $39,270. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 341st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | −14.1% |
| 25th | $30,800 | −14.1% |
| Median (50th) | $35,450 | −1.1% |
| 75th | $38,130 | +6.4% |
| 90th | $45,790 | +27.8% |
| Mean | $36,560 | +2.0% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $39,270 | — | |
| 2 | Denver | $35,770 | 1,710 | |
| 3 | Colorado Springs | $35,710 | 290 | |
| 4 | Greeley | $35,640 | 80 | |
| 5 | Fort Collins | $35,050 | 170 | |
| 6 | Pueblo | $34,570 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $35,450 buys what $34,384 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$35,450as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,384US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $35,450 a year, 1.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,800 to $45,790 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 150 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $39,270.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other in Northwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $35,450, or $17.04 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 $35,840, so pay in Northwest Colorado, CO is 1.1% 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 Northwest Colorado, CO earns more than $45,790 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $30,800 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 Boulder, at $39,270 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 150 jobs in this occupation in Northwest Colorado, CO. Self-employed workers are not included.
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