Food Preparation Workers Salary in Fort Collins, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Fort Collins-Loveland, CO

Median annual salary $38,240 +11.7% vs national
Median hourly $18.39
10th percentile $31,030
90th percentile $46,920
Employed locally 680
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
in
Fort Collins, CO
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $31,030
    25th
    $35,970
    50th (median)
    $38,240
    75th
    $43,180
    90th
    $46,920

    Fort Collins economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $91,364 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 42% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 58% 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 Fort Collins, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $34,380
    Waiters and Waitresses $34,580
    Cooks, Restaurant $38,010
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $46,000
    Cooks, Fast Food $35,110
    Bartenders $34,610

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Fort Collins?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Fort Collins, CO is $18.39, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $22.45 or more per hour.

    Is Fort Collins above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Fort Collins, CO is 11.7% 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 Fort Collins?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $31,030 per year in Fort Collins, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $35,970.