Colorado Median
$46,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+13% vs US median
US median $41,590
State Rank
#7 of 41
300 employed here
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Colorado?
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Colorado take home a median of $46,900 annually — roughly $22.55 an hour — which runs 13% above the national median of $41,590.
Within Colorado, entry-level pay starts around $40,100 while the top 10% make $62,620 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,050 and $51,440 a year.
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary range in Colorado
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,100 | $19.28 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,050 | $21.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,900 | $22.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,440 | $24.73 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,620 | $30.11 |
|
How Colorado compares
Colorado ranks 7th out of 41 states and territories for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Washington $51,100Utah $48,620Massachusetts $47,960Iowa $47,900Michigan $47,260Minnesota $47,250Kansas $45,850New York $45,680Tennessee $45,620Nebraska $45,420Idaho $45,120California $44,740Oregon $44,530Louisiana $44,440Arizona $44,050Indiana $43,350Pennsylvania $42,710Illinois $42,670Missouri $42,160Kentucky $41,800Ohio $41,160Arkansas $40,480New Hampshire $40,440Wisconsin $40,000South Dakota $39,270North Carolina $39,070Connecticut $38,880Georgia $38,440South Carolina $38,220Maine $37,500New Jersey $37,180Maryland $36,960Nevada $36,610Florida $36,450Oklahoma $36,030Virginia $35,140Texas $33,980Delaware $31,240Mississippi $31,150Alabama $27,080
Working as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Colorado
Nationally, about 31,000 people work as Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare Colorado pay ($46,900) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make in Colorado?
The median Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary in Colorado is $46,900 per year, or about $22.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,100 at the entry level to $62,620 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Colorado pay compare to the national average?
Colorado pays Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders about 13% more than the national median of $41,590. Colorado ranks 7th out of 41 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Colorado a good state for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — Colorado pays above the national median for this occupation, at $46,900 a year. About 300 Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders are employed in Colorado. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Colorado?
The highest-paying occupations in Colorado include Orthodontist ($416,000), Dermatologist ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($385,410), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary report
Related salaries
$48,750
median pay · 14,000 employed
$38,300
median pay · 146,000 employed
$43,960
median pay · 32,000 employed
$49,030
median pay · 9,000 employed
$44,810
median pay · 20,000 employed
$47,180
median pay · 125,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.