Food Service Manager Salary in Denver, CO
Food Service Managers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $79,490 a year — 15% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $61,962 take-home, or $5,164 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median food service manager salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$8,658
- Social Security (6.2%)$4,928
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,153
- Colorado income tax$2,789
- Take-home pay$61,962
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Food Service Manager pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,020 | $32.70 | $54,398 | $4,533 |
| 25th percentile | $68,750 | $33.05 | $54,879 | $4,573 |
| Median (50th) | $79,490 | $38.22 | $61,962 | $5,164 |
| 75th percentile | $96,360 | $46.33 | $73,088 | $6,091 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $113,270 | $54.46 | $84,240 | $7,020 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $79,490 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 food service manager's $61,962 take-home pay has the buying power of $58,575 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Food Service Manager jobs are less concentrated in Denver, CO than nationally (location quotient 0.53), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for food service managers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #27 of 91 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $98,800 | $78,336 | $70,488 |
| 2 | Salt Lake City, UT | $92,420 | $70,655 | $70,047 |
| 3 | Tampa, FL | $80,180 | $65,237 | $64,661 |
| 4 | Boston, MA | $92,650 | $69,597 | $64,283 |
| 5 | Kansas City, MO | $75,350 | $59,235 | $64,008 |
| 6 | Naples, FL | $81,300 | $66,025 | $63,977 |
| 7 | Providence, RI | $82,760 | $64,565 | $63,440 |
| 8 | Atlantic City, NJ | $80,080 | $62,255 | $62,975 |
| 27 | Denver, CO | $79,490 | $61,962 | $58,575 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 91 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food service manager make in Denver, CO?
The median food service manager salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $79,490 a year, or about $38.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $68,750 and $96,360.
What is a food service manager’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $79,490 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $61,962 a year ($5,164 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $2,789 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a food service manager?
Pay here is 15% above the national median of $69,390. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $58,575 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #27 of 91 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a food service manager 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) — 34% of a median food service manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
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- Sales Manager — $181,580
- Purchasing Manager — $180,000
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- Human Resources Manager — $170,940
- Administrative Services Manager — $164,240
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