Fort Collins-Loveland, CO · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Food Preparation Worker Salary in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO

In the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO metropolitan area, food preparation workers earned a median annual wage of $38,200 ($18.37/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $30,200/year and the 90th was $48,100/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $31,901 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 101.1 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$38,200$18.37 per hour · $3,183 monthly
10th Percentile$30,200$14.52/hr base
25th Percentile$34,000$16.35/hr base
75th Percentile$43,900$21.11/hr base
90th Percentile$48,100$23.13/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 Pay Explorer

$38,200
$15,000$80,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$38,200
Net 84%
Fed 6%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$31,901After all taxes
Monthly deposit$2,658Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,227Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate16.5%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$2,404 / yr
Colorado state income tax$972 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$2,922 / yr

Food Preparation Workers Wage Percentiles in Fort Collins-Loveland, 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 Food Preparation Workers in the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$14.52/hr$2,517$30,200$25,825
25th Percentile$16.35/hr$2,833$34,000$28,711
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$18.37/hr$3,183$38,200$31,901
75th Percentile$21.11/hr$3,658$43,900$36,230
90th Percentile$23.13/hr$4,008$48,100$39,420

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$38,200 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$93,765Census Bureau ACS
BEA Price Parity Index101.11.1% above national average
Individual vs Household Ratio40.7%of area median income

Compare food preparation workers salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:

Frequently Asked Questions About Food Preparation Workers Pay in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO

What is the median salary for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO is $38,200, which equates to approximately $3,183 per month or $18.37 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

The median hourly wage for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO is $18.37 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $14.52/hour and one in ten earned more than $23.13/hour.

What is the pay range for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

BLS wage estimates for food preparation workers in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO span from $30,200 at the 10th percentile to $34,000 at the 25th, $43,900 at the 75th, and $48,100 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do food preparation workers take home after taxes in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

On a median gross salary of $38,200, an estimated $31,901 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,227 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $6,299 (an effective rate of 16.5%).

How much do food preparation workers make per month in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

On the median annual salary of $38,200, gross monthly income is $3,183. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $2,658 per month (or $1,227 every two weeks).

Is $38,200 a good salary in Fort Collins-Loveland, CO?

At $38,200, the median salary for food preparation workers is 40.7% of the Fort Collins-Loveland, CO median household income ($93,765). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 101.1, making regional consumer goods and services 1.1% more expensive than the U.S. average.