Baker Salary in Denver, CO
Bakers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $42,490 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $35,160 take-home, or $2,930 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median baker salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,919
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,634
- Medicare (1.45%)$616
- Colorado income tax$1,161
- Take-home pay$35,160
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Baker pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,820 | $15.78 | $27,815 | $2,318 |
| 25th percentile | $37,860 | $18.20 | $31,643 | $2,637 |
| Median (50th) | $42,490 | $20.43 | $35,160 | $2,930 |
| 75th percentile | $48,280 | $23.21 | $39,557 | $3,296 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,570 | $27.20 | $45,853 | $3,821 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $42,490 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median baker's $35,160 take-home pay has the buying power of $33,238 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Baker jobs are about as common in Denver, CO as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.06).
Best-paying cities for bakers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #2 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $48,180 | $40,893 | $36,796 |
| 2 | Denver, CO | $42,490 | $35,160 | $33,238 |
| 3 | San Francisco, CA | $46,600 | $38,164 | $33,010 |
| 4 | Riverside, CA | $41,790 | $34,554 | $32,463 |
| 5 | Portland, OR | $43,440 | $34,113 | $32,359 |
| 6 | Charlotte, NC | $36,580 | $30,621 | $31,455 |
| 7 | Phoenix, AZ | $37,800 | $31,816 | $30,795 |
| 8 | Atlanta, GA | $37,140 | $30,717 | $30,699 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: bakers
Mix and bake ingredients to produce breads, rolls, cookies, cakes, pies, pastries, or other baked goods. Pastry chefs in restaurants and hotels are included with "Chefs and Head Cooks" (35-1011).
- Typical education
- No formal educational credential
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.5% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a baker make in Denver, CO?
The median baker salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $42,490 a year, or about $20.43 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $37,860 and $48,280.
What is a baker’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $42,490 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $35,160 a year ($2,930 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $1,161 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a baker?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $37,160. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $33,238 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #2 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a baker afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 60% of a median baker’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.