Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
Colorado employs 12,080 Food Preparation Workers professionals, below the national average concentration.
Data: BLS OEWS 2025 • Colorado employment outlook • Updated 2026-05-19
The location quotient (LQ) of 0.69 indicates that Colorado has a below-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers professionals. This may suggest fewer local opportunities compared to other states, though national trends should also be considered.
Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.
The average annual salary for a Food Preparation Workers in Colorado is $40,210. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.
Colorado employs approximately 12,080 Food Preparation Workers professionals (2025 BLS data). This ranks Colorado for this occupation nationwide.
Colorado has average or below-average concentration of Food Preparation Workers jobs (LQ: 0.69). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.
The average (mean) salary for Food Preparation Workers in Colorado is $40210/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.
Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.
The top state for Food Preparation Workers employment is California with 112,750 jobs.
Explore cost of living, median household income, and demographics for Colorado's largest cities.
Compare tuition, admissions, and graduate outcomes at Colorado's leading institutions.
Compare Food Preparation Workers labor-market data (jobs, location quotient, salary) across the top-employing states.
Drill deeper into Food Preparation Workers pay, hiring, and education data for Colorado.
Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Food Preparation Workers (SOC 352021) in Colorado.