How much does a food preparation worker make in Denver?
$39,470a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area. That is $18.98 an hour or $3,289 a month.
- Hourly
- $18.98
- Vs. national median
- +12%
- Rank among cities
- 13 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 6,640
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,800Median: $39,470Highest 10%: $48,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | $14.81 | |
| 25th | $35,590 | $17.11 | |
| Median | $39,470 | $18.98 | |
| 75th | $44,890 | $21.58 | |
| 90th | $48,600 | $23.37 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Boulder, CO | $39,690 |
| 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 Denver
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $66,970 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $52,520 |
| Cook | $45,070 |
| Cook | $44,370 |
| Cook | $44,200 |
| Food Server | $39,850 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $39,650 |
| Dishwasher | $38,710 |
| Cook | $38,530 |
| Bartender | $37,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Denver?
The median hourly pay in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $18.98 ($39,470 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Denver than the national average?
Yes: $39,470 against $35,320 nationally, 12% more.
How does Denver compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $38,960, so Denver pays 1% more.
Where does Denver rank for food preparation worker pay?
13 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Denver?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $48,600 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.