SOC 35-3031 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Waiters and Waitresses — Southwest Colorado
Southwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Colorado, CO is $45,730 per year, well above the national median of $35,230.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Southwest Colorado, CO is $45,730 per year, well above the national median of $35,230. The gap of 29.8% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Pay ranges from under $30,800 at the tenth percentile to more than $77,750 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $31,130 to $60,650.
Employment stands at 2,340, or 21.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Boulder leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $49,870. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 265th of 348 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | −12.6% |
| 25th | $31,130 | −11.6% |
| Median (50th) | $45,730 | +29.8% |
| 75th | $60,650 | +72.2% |
| 90th | $77,750 | +120.7% |
| Mean | $49,070 | +39.3% |
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 Southwest Colorado run 3.1% above the national average, so the median of $45,730 buys what $44,355 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 25.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$45,730as reported by BLSLocal price level
103.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,355US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $45,730 a year, 29.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $30,800 to $77,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,340 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 Southwest Colorado, CO?
The median annual wage is $45,730, or $21.98 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 Southwest Colorado, CO is 29.8% 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 Southwest Colorado, CO earns more than $77,750 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 2,340 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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