Food Service Manager salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Food Service Managers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $79,490 a year ($38.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,320 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,270 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $69,390. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $79,870. There are 0.82 food service managers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $88,150, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food service managers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,020 | $32.70 |
| 25th percentile | $68,750 | $33.05 |
| Median | $79,490 | $38.22 |
| 75th percentile | $96,360 | $46.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,270 | $54.46 |
| Average (mean) | $88,150 | $42.38 |
Half of food service managers 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 | $6,624.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,312.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,057.31 |
| Weekly | $1,528.65 |
| Hourly | $38.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $79,490 salary, see how much house you can afford in Colorado at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Food Service Manager salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Boulder, CO | $84,820 | 170 |
| Pueblo, CO | $79,100 | 40 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $78,930 | 110 |
| Greeley, CO | $78,080 | n/a |
| Grand Junction, CO | $74,740 | 50 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $72,140 | 240 |
Highest-paying states for food service managers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $95,190 |
| Massachusetts | $92,240 |
| Hawaii | $87,800 |
| New York | $84,200 |
| Rhode Island | $82,850 |
| Alaska | $82,030 |
| District of Columbia | $81,680 |
| Colorado | $79,870 |
| Minnesota | $79,820 |
| California | $78,260 |
See Food Service Manager pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Managers, All Other | $175,980 | $84.61 |
| Construction Manager | $128,850 | $61.95 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | $137,760 | $66.23 |
| Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary | $121,130 | — |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers | $191,440 | $92.04 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $101,310 | $48.71 |
| Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $101,750 | $48.92 |
| Natural Sciences Manager | $141,080 | $67.83 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary | $120,560 | $57.96 |
| Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | $69,160 | $33.25 |
| Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling | $100,500 | $48.32 |
| Education Administrators, All Other | $99,540 | $47.86 |
| Lodging Manager | $96,470 | $46.38 |
| Postmasters and Mail Superintendents | $96,890 | $46.58 |
More: Management Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 11-9051. 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 food service manager make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for food service managers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $79,490 a year, or $38.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,020 for the lowest-paid 10% to $113,270 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food service managers make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of food service managers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $113,270 a year. The top 25% earn $96,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for food service managers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,020 a year, and a quarter of food service managers earn $68,750 or less.
How many food service managers work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,320 food service managers are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.