Waiters and Waitresses Pay Range in Colorado
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,800
- 25th Percentile — Junior$32,610
- 50th Percentile — Median$44,860
- 75th Percentile — Senior$66,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,160
Half of Waiters and Waitresses in Colorado earn more than $44,860. The top 10% make $78,160 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,800.
Waiters and Waitresses in Colorado: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- Colorado ranks 8th of 51 states for Waiters and Waitresses pay, at $51,240 per year (27.9% above the U.S. average of $40,060).
- 40,680 people work as Waiters and Waitresses in Colorado — 1.8% of all U.S. Waiters and Waitresses jobs.
- Location quotient 0.97: Waiters and Waitresses jobs are less concentrated in Colorado than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,800; the top 10% earn over $78,160.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $68,260.
- Among hospitality jobs in Colorado, Chefs and Head Cooks pays the most ($70,320).
Waiters and Waitresses Job Market in Colorado
Key factors affecting compensation
Colorado's key industries are Technology, Aerospace, Tourism, and its job market is rated very strong. Waiters and Waitresses here earn $51,240 on average, placing the state 8th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 1.1 (U.S. = 1.00), a Colorado salary of $51,240 is roughly equivalent to $46,582 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Vermont ($58,850), New York ($54,750), Oregon ($52,400) are the closest alternatives for Waiters and Waitresses weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Hospitality Jobs in Colorado
Related career salary benchmarks
- Chefs and Head Cooks $70,320/yr Colorado +37.2% vs this role
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation $53,710/yr Colorado +4.8% vs this role
- Bartenders $51,250/yr Colorado +0.0% vs this role
- Cooks Institution and Cafeteria $43,690/yr Colorado 14.7% vs this role
- Cooks Restaurant $42,360/yr Colorado 17.3% vs this role
- Dining Room Attendants and Bartender Helpers $41,280/yr Colorado 19.4% vs this role
- Cooks Fast Food $38,400/yr Colorado 25.1% vs this role
- Fast Food and Counter Workers $36,890/yr Colorado 28.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Colorado?
The average Waiters and Waitresses salary in Colorado is $51,240 per year (median $44,860), which is 27.9% above the national average of $40,060.
How does Colorado rank for Waiters and Waitresses pay?
Colorado ranks 8th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($68,260/yr).
How much do entry-level Waiters and Waitresses make in Colorado?
The lowest-paid 10% of Waiters and Waitresses in Colorado earn about $30,800 per year and the 25th percentile is $32,610.
How much do Waiters and Waitresses make per hour in Colorado?
About $24.63 per hour, based on the $51,240 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Waiters and Waitresses work in Colorado?
BLS counts 40,680 Waiters and Waitresses jobs in Colorado (OEWS May 2025).
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