Food Preparation Worker salary in Colorado
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A food preparation worker in Colorado earns a median of $38,960 a year ($18.73/hour equivalent), 10.3% above the national median of $35,320. Colorado ranks #4 of 51 states. About 12,080 people do this job in Colorado.
Take-home pay in Colorado
At the Colorado median, a single filer keeps about $32,307 a year after federal, FICA and Colorado taxes — $1,243 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the Colorado paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $1,498.46
- Federal income tax
- −$95.97
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$92.90
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$21.73
- Colorado income tax
- −$38.69
- CO FAMLI
- −$6.59
- Take-home pay
- $1,242.58
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $38,960
- Federal
- $2,495
- FICA
- $2,980
- State + local
- $1,177
- Net
- $32,307
- Marginal federal rate
- 12.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 4.4%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
How Colorado compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Washington | $40,910 |
| #2 | District of Columbia | $39,600 |
| #3 | California | $39,350 |
| #4 | Colorado | $38,960 |
| #5 | Massachusetts | $38,900 |
| #49 | Kentucky | $26,850 |
| #50 | Mississippi | $26,240 |
| #51 | Louisiana | $23,620 |
See the national food preparation worker salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Food Preparation Workers (SOC 35-2021), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food preparation worker make in Colorado?
The median salary is $38,960 a year and the average is $40,210 (BLS May 2025).
Is Colorado a good state for food preparation workers?
Colorado ranks #4 of 51 states for median pay in this job, 10% above the national median of $35,320.
What is $38,960 after taxes in Colorado?
About $32,307 a year ($1,243 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.