How much does a food preparation worker make in Boulder?
$39,690a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Boulder, CO metro area. That is $19.08 an hour or $3,308 a month.
- Hourly
- $19.08
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 11 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 650
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $31,290Median: $39,690Highest 10%: $50,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $31,290 | $15.04 | |
| 25th | $36,700 | $17.64 | |
| Median | $39,690 | $19.08 | |
| 75th | $45,730 | $21.99 | |
| 90th | $50,200 | $24.13 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Denver, CO | $39,470 |
| Greeley, CO | $39,150 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,450 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $37,240 |
| Fort Collins, CO | $36,510 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,620 |
Related jobs in Boulder
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,740 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,020 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $49,870 |
| Cook | $48,020 |
| Bartender | $42,520 |
| Cook | $42,220 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Worker | $39,270 |
| Food Server | $38,930 |
| Host and Hostess | $38,220 |
| Dishwasher | $37,750 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Boulder?
The median hourly pay in the Boulder, CO metro area is $19.08 ($39,690 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Boulder than the national average?
Yes: $39,690 against $35,320 nationally, 12% more.
How does Boulder compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $38,960, so Boulder pays 2% more.
Where does Boulder rank for food preparation worker pay?
11 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Boulder?
The lowest-paid 10% make $31,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $50,200 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.