Food Preparation Workers Salary in Denver, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Median annual salary $39,300 +14.8% vs national
Median hourly $18.89
10th percentile $33,390
90th percentile $48,230
Employed locally 6,300
National median $34,220

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Type a city below to see how Denver, CO stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Denver, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $33,390
    25th
    $37,110
    50th (median)
    $39,300
    75th
    $44,600
    90th
    $48,230

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 38% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 62% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Food Preparation Workers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $44,120
    Napa, CA $43,260
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $42,830
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340

    Nearby metros — Food Preparation Workers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $41,980
    Boulder, CO $41,490
    Greeley, CO $41,340
    Northwest Colorado nonmetropolitan area $40,220
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $39,660
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $39,360

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,310
    Waiters and Waitresses $33,870
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $50,540
    Bartenders $32,530
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $36,810

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Denver, CO is $18.89, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $23.36 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Denver, CO is 14.8% above the national median of $34,220. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Food Preparation Workers in Denver?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $33,390 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $37,110.