SOC 35-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Food Preparation Workers — Southwest Colorado
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
In Southwest Colorado, CO the median wage for Food Preparation Workers is $39,200 a year, which is 11.0% higher than the national figure of $35,320.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Southwest Colorado, CO the median wage for Food Preparation Workers is $39,200 a year, which is 11.0% higher than the national figure of $35,320. Half of workers earn between $34,430 and $45,120. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,030 and the ninetieth at $55,910.
The area has 590 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.4 of every thousand jobs. Boulder leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $39,690. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 306th of 348 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,030 | −9.3% |
| 25th | $34,430 | −2.5% |
| Median (50th) | $39,200 | +11.0% |
| 75th | $45,120 | +27.7% |
| 90th | $55,910 | +58.3% |
| Mean | $41,010 | +16.1% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $39,690 | 650 | |
| 2 | Denver | $39,470 | 6,640 | |
| 3 | Greeley | $39,150 | 530 | |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $37,450 | 1,190 | |
| 5 | Grand Junction | $37,240 | 340 | |
| 6 | Fort Collins | $36,510 | 740 | |
| 7 | Pueblo | $35,620 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Southwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $39,200 buys what $38,021 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 7.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,200as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,021US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,200 a year, 11.0% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,030 to $55,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 590 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $39,690.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Food Preparation Workers in Southwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $39,200, or $18.84 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 $35,320, so pay in Southwest Colorado, CO is 11.0% higher. 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 Southwest Colorado, CO earns more than $55,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,030 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 $39,690 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 590 jobs in this occupation in Southwest 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.
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