How much does a food preparation worker make in Fort Collins?
$36,510a year
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area. That is $17.55 an hour or $3,043 a month.
- Hourly
- $17.55
- Vs. national median
- +3%
- Rank among cities
- 73 of 393
- Jobs in the area
- 740
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $30,800Median: $36,510Highest 10%: $46,700
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $30,800 | $14.81 | |
| 25th | $33,530 | $16.12 | |
| Median | $36,510 | $17.55 | |
| 75th | $40,690 | $19.56 | |
| 90th | $46,700 | $22.45 |
Other cities in Colorado
Median yearly pay for food preparation workers.
| Boulder, CO | $39,690 |
| Denver, CO | $39,470 |
| Greeley, CO | $39,150 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $37,450 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $37,240 |
| Pueblo, CO | $35,620 |
Related jobs in Fort Collins
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Chef and Head Cook | $61,090 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $47,360 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker | $47,150 |
| Bartender | $46,290 |
| Cook | $39,770 |
| Cook | $38,370 |
| Food Server | $37,080 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper | $36,970 |
| Dishwasher | $35,800 |
| Cook | $35,230 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make an hour in Fort Collins?
The median hourly pay in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metro area is $17.55 ($36,510 a year).
Do food preparation workers make more in Fort Collins than the national average?
Yes: $36,510 against $35,320 nationally, 3% more.
How does Fort Collins compare with the rest of Colorado?
The median in Colorado is $38,960, so Fort Collins pays 6% less.
Where does Fort Collins rank for food preparation worker pay?
73 of 393 metro areas with data.
How much does a food preparation worker make starting out in Fort Collins?
The lowest-paid 10% make $30,800 or less a year; the top 10% make $46,700 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.