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

Waiter or Waitress Salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

In the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metropolitan area, waiters or waitresses earned a median annual wage of $46,000 ($22.12/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $31,600/year and the 90th was $80,200/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and Colorado tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $37,825 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 105.8 against a national baseline of 100.

Wage Benchmark Overview

Median Annual Salary

$46,000$22.12 per hour · $3,833 monthly
10th Percentile$31,600$15.19/hr base
25th Percentile$33,500$16.11/hr base
75th Percentile$68,100$32.74/hr base
90th Percentile$80,200$38.56/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

$46,000
$15,000$95,000
Filing status:
Gross salary breakdown$46,000
Net 82%
Fed 7%
CO 3%
FICA 8%
Annual take-home$37,825After all taxes
Monthly deposit$3,152Estimated per month
Biweekly paycheck$1,455Every 2 weeks (26/yr)
Effective tax rate17.8%Total tax burden
Federal income tax$3,340 / yr
Colorado state income tax$1,316 / yr
FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,519 / yr

Waiters and Waitresses 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 Waiters and Waitresses in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO Metropolitan Area
Earning TierHourly WageMonthly GrossAnnual GrossEst. Annual Net (CO)
10th Percentile$15.19/hr$2,633$31,600$26,889
25th Percentile$16.11/hr$2,792$33,500$28,332
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark$22.12/hr$3,833$46,000$37,825
75th Percentile$32.74/hr$5,675$68,100$54,450
90th Percentile$38.56/hr$6,683$80,200$62,430

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

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$46,000 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 Ratio43.5%of area median income

Compare waiters or waitresses salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in Colorado:

Frequently Asked Questions About Waiters and Waitresses Pay in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO

What is the median salary for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The official BLS median annual wage for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $46,000, which equates to approximately $3,833 per month or $22.12 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

The median hourly wage for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO is $22.12 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $15.19/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.56/hour.

What is the pay range for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

BLS wage estimates for waiters or waitresses in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO span from $31,600 at the 10th percentile to $33,500 at the 25th, $68,100 at the 75th, and $80,200 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do waiters or waitresses take home after taxes in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On a median gross salary of $46,000, an estimated $37,825 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,455 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in Colorado in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $8,175 (an effective rate of 17.8%).

How much do waiters or waitresses make per month in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

On the median annual salary of $46,000, gross monthly income is $3,833. After federal, FICA, and Colorado state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,152 per month (or $1,455 every two weeks).

Is $46,000 a good salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?

At $46,000, the median salary for waiters or waitresses is 43.5% 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.