SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Denver
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · 6 metro areas compared
In Denver, CO the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses is $39,650 a year, which is 12.5% higher than the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Denver, CO the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses is $39,650 a year, which is 12.5% higher than the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $33,770 and $74,180. The lowest tenth earn under $31,010, while the highest tenth earn more than $78,380.
The area has 20,750 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.88 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Boulder records the highest median at $49,870. Of the 648 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 610th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,010 | −12.0% |
| 25th | $33,770 | −4.1% |
| Median (50th) | $39,650 | +12.5% |
| 75th | $74,180 | +110.6% |
| 90th | $78,380 | +122.5% |
| Mean | $51,870 | +47.2% |
Other metro areas in Colorado
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder | $49,870 | 2,670 | |
| 2 | Fort Collins | $47,360 | 2,740 | |
| 3 | Greeley | $46,480 | 1,300 | |
| 4 | Colorado Springs | $46,230 | 4,330 | |
| 5 | Pueblo | $45,500 | 850 | |
| 6 | Grand Junction | $43,730 | 1,020 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Denver run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $39,650 buys what $38,458 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 9.2% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$39,650as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$38,458US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $39,650 a year, 12.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $31,010 to $78,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 20,750 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Boulder, at $49,870.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Denver, CO?
The median annual wage is $39,650, or $19.06 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 $35,230, so pay in Denver, CO is 12.5% 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 Denver, CO earns more than $78,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $31,010 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 $49,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 20,750 jobs in this occupation in Denver, 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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