Food Preparation Workers Salary in Grand Junction, CO

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Grand Junction, CO

Median annual salary $36,140 +5.6% vs national
Median hourly $17.37
10th percentile $29,990
90th percentile $44,170
Employed locally 300
National median $34,220

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Food Preparation Workers
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Grand Junction, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,990
    25th
    $31,350
    50th (median)
    $36,140
    75th
    $37,850
    90th
    $44,170

    Grand Junction economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,485 2023 • Census ACS
    Food Preparation Workers salary vs area income 51% Median Food Preparation Workers salary is 49% 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 Grand Junction, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $31,390
    Waiters and Waitresses $35,370
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $44,360
    Cooks, Restaurant $35,720
    Cooks, Fast Food $33,480
    Bartenders $31,020

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Food Preparation Workers make per hour in Grand Junction?

    The median hourly wage for Food Preparation Workers in Grand Junction, CO is $17.37, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $21.42 or more per hour.

    Is Grand Junction above or below average for Food Preparation Workers salaries?

    The median Food Preparation Workers salary in Grand Junction, CO is 5.6% 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 Grand Junction?

    Entry-level Food Preparation Workers (10th percentile) earn around $29,990 per year in Grand Junction, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $31,350.