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Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Fast Food or Counter Worker Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, fast food or counter workers earned a median annual wage of $37,200 ($17.88/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,900/year and the 90th was $45,300/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,142 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$37,200$17.88 per hour · $3,100 monthly
10th Percentile$31,900$15.34/hr base
25th Percentile$34,800$16.73/hr base
75th Percentile$38,700$18.61/hr base
90th Percentile$45,300$21.78/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $37,000 a year leaves after tax in ColoradoFederal tax, FICA and Colorado withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.
By the hour$18 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.
HousingWhat a $37,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.
Local pricesWhat $37,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.
Same stateEvery occupation Colorado publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about Colorado.

Take-Home Pay Explorer

$37,200
$15,000$75,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$37,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
CO 2%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,142After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,595Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,198Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.3%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,284 / yr
Colorado state income tax$928 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,846 / yr
Customize deductions in full Colorado calculator

Fast Food and Counter Workers Wage Percentiles in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Fast Food and Counter Workers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$15.34/hr$2,658$31,900$27,116
25th Percentile$16.73/hr$2,900$34,800$29,319
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$17.88/hr$3,100$37,200$31,142
75th Percentile$18.61/hr$3,225$38,700$32,281
90th Percentile$21.78/hr$3,775$45,300$37,294

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$37,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$105,762Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index105.85.8% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio35.2%of area median income

Compare fast food or counter workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:

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Fast Food and Counter Workers pay in other Colorado metros

These metro areas are in the same state and closest in population to Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO. Compare their wage distributions before using a statewide average.

Frequently Asked Questions About Fast Food and Counter Workers Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

What is the median salary for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $37,200, which equates to approximately $3,100 per month or $17.88 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median hourly wage for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $17.88 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.34/hour and one in ten earned more than $21.78/hour.

What is the pay range for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

BLS wage estimates for fast food or counter workers in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $31,900 at the 10th percentile to $34,800 at the 25th, $38,700 at the 75th, and $45,300 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do fast food or counter workers take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On a median gross salary of $37,200, an estimated $31,142 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,198 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,058 (an effective rate of 16.3%).

How much do fast food or counter workers make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On the median annual salary of $37,200, gross monthly income is $3,100. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,595 per month (or $1,198 every two weeks).

Is $37,200 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

At $37,200, the median salary for fast food or counter workers is 35.2% of the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO median household income ($105,762). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 105.8, making regional consumer goods and services 5.8% more expensive than the U.S. average.