Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Colorado (2024)

How does Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary grow from entry-level to senior in Colorado? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

58% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Colorado salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,770
$3,064/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$47,250
$3,938/mo
Senior (P90)
$57,930
$4,828/mo

Colorado vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$36,770
National: $31,313
+17.4%
Mid-Career (Median)
$47,250
National: $38,779
+21.8%
Senior (P90)
$57,930
National: $49,367
+17.3%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Colorado spans from $36,770 at entry-level to $57,930 at senior level — a difference of $21,160 per year.

P10
$36K
P25
$38K
Median
$47K
P75
$55K
P90
$57K

Career Growth Premium: +58%

Senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss in Colorado earn $21,160 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$21,160
Monthly Difference
+$1,763
Hourly Difference
+$10.17
Growth Multiple
1.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salary increases with experience in Colorado, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $36,770 $3,064 $17.68
Early Career P25 $38,020 $3,168 $18.28
Mid-Career Median $47,250 $3,938 $22.72
Experienced P75 $55,250 $4,604 $26.56
Senior / Expert P90 $57,930 $4,828 $27.85
Key Insight

Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders in Colorado has a moderate salary progression with a 58% growth from entry-level ($36,770) to senior ($57,930). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($47,250) and P90 ($57,930) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Colorado Compares to Other States

Where does Colorado rank for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders senior-level salaries? Compare Colorado's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$76,530
Entry: $29K
+162%
2
$64,150
Entry: $33K
+90%
3
$57,930
Entry: $36K
+58%
4
$56,680
Entry: $32K
+73%
5
$56,260
Entry: $34K
+62%
6
$55,810
Entry: $29K
+89%
7
$55,570
Entry: $33K
+64%
8
$55,310
Entry: $31K
+76%
9
$55,180
Entry: $35K
+54%
10
$54,070
Entry: $35K
+52%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?

Entry-level Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss (10th percentile) earn approximately $36,770 per year, or $3,064 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $38,020. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders make?

Senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss (90th percentile) earn approximately $57,930 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $55,250. This represents a career premium of 58% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders?

The career salary growth potential for Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss is 58%. Entry-level professionals start at $36,770, while senior-level can earn up to $57,930 — a difference of $21,160 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss?

The highest-paying state for senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenderss is Colorado, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $57,930 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Colorado from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Colorado.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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