SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Northwest Colorado
Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
In Northwest Colorado, CO the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses is $43,600 a year, which is 23.8% higher than the national figure of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northwest Colorado, CO the median wage for Waiters and Waitresses is $43,600 a year, which is 23.8% higher than the national figure of $35,230. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $31,250 and $62,100. The lowest tenth earn under $30,800, while the highest tenth earn more than $77,870.
The area has 3,780 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 28.6 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Boulder records the highest median at $49,870. Of the 345 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 313th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | −12.6% |
| 25th | $31,250 | −11.3% |
| Median (50th) | $43,600 | +23.8% |
| 75th | $62,100 | +76.3% |
| 90th | $77,870 | +121.0% |
| Mean | $49,990 | +41.9% |
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 | |
| 7 | Denver | $39,650 | 20,750 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $43,600 buys what $42,289 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 20.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$43,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,289US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $43,600 a year, 23.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,800 to $77,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,780 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 Northwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $43,600, or $20.96 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 Northwest Colorado, CO is 23.8% 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 Northwest Colorado, CO earns more than $77,870 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 $49,870 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,780 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.
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