Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in Colorado
Fast Food and Counter Workers in Colorado earn a median of $36,270 a year ($17.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 82,010 workers.
Pay ranges from $31,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,100 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $31,200. Colorado ranks 4th of 51 states for fast food and counter workers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 29 fast food and counter workers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $36,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for fast food and counter workers in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $31,040 | $14.92 |
| 25th percentile | $33,900 | $16.30 |
| Median | $36,270 | $17.44 |
| 75th percentile | $37,710 | $18.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
| Average (mean) | $36,890 | $17.74 |
Half of fast food and counter workers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,022.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,511.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,395 |
| Weekly | $697.50 |
| Hourly | $17.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $36,270 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Fast Food and Counter Workers salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $37,070 | 42,810 |
| Boulder, CO | $36,190 | 4,880 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $34,850 | 5,770 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $34,420 | 11,470 |
| Greeley, CO | $33,030 | 3,670 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $31,510 | 2,450 |
| Pueblo, CO | $31,100 | 2,160 |
Highest-paying states for fast food and counter workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $42,280 |
| Washington | $37,710 |
| District of Columbia | $37,430 |
| Colorado | $36,270 |
| Vermont | $36,030 |
| Massachusetts | $35,850 |
| Connecticut | $35,380 |
| Hawaii | $35,250 |
| New York | $35,250 |
| Oregon | $35,050 |
Related jobs in Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Waiters and Waitresses | $44,860 | $21.57 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| Food Servers, Nonrestaurant | $38,900 | $18.70 |
| Cooks, Restaurant | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers | $50,550 | $24.30 |
| Food Preparation Worker | $38,960 | $18.73 |
| Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop | $36,340 | $17.47 |
| Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria | $42,500 | $20.43 |
| Cooks, Fast Food | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Dishwasher | $37,840 | $18.19 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $36,790 | $17.69 |
| Chefs and Head Cooks | $65,400 | $31.44 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other | $35,710 | $17.17 |
| Cooks, Short Order | $42,450 | $20.41 |
More: Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 35-3023. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a fast food and counter workers make in Colorado?
The median salary for fast food and counter workers in Colorado is $36,270 a year, or $17.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $31,040 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid fast food and counter workers make in Colorado?
The top 10% of fast food and counter workers in Colorado earn at least $44,100 a year. The top 25% earn $37,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for fast food and counter workers in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $31,040 a year, and a quarter of fast food and counter workers earn $33,900 or less.
How many fast food and counter workers work in Colorado?
About 82,010 fast food and counter workers are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.