Waiters and Waitresses Salary in Denver, CO

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

Median annual salary $33,870 +0.3% vs national
Median hourly $16.28
10th percentile $29,990
90th percentile $77,750
Employed locally 21,130
National median $33,760

Compare Waiters and Waitresses salary & buying power

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Waiters and Waitresses
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Denver, CO
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $29,990
    25th
    $30,750
    50th (median)
    $33,870
    75th
    $56,950
    90th
    $77,750

    Denver economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.20% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,339 2023 • Census ACS
    Waiters and Waitresses salary vs area income 33% Median Waiters and Waitresses salary is 67% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Waiters and Waitresses

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Kahului-Wailuku, HI $71,920
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $66,350
    Vermont $60,910
    Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $60,840
    Southern Vermont nonmetropolitan area $53,460
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760

    Nearby metros — Waiters and Waitresses salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $48,760
    Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA $47,560
    District of Columbia $45,770
    Boulder, CO $45,330
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $37,360
    Columbus, OH $37,230

    Related occupations in Denver, CO

    OccupationMedian salary
    Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,310
    Cooks, Restaurant $43,420
    First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers $50,540
    Bartenders $32,530
    Food Preparation Workers $39,300
    Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop $36,810

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Denver?

    The median hourly wage for Waiters and Waitresses in Denver, CO is $16.28, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $37.69 or more per hour.

    Is Denver above or below average for Waiters and Waitresses salaries?

    The median Waiters and Waitresses salary in Denver, CO is 0.3% above the national median of $33,760. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Waiters and Waitresses in Denver?

    Entry-level Waiters and Waitresses (10th percentile) earn around $29,990 per year in Denver, CO. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $30,750.