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The 10 Lowest Paying Jobs In Colorado for 2026
Reflecting on my high school days, I remember my first job at the local movie theater, where I earned minimum wage along with free popcorn and movie tickets. While that was a dream job for me at the time, earning just $5.86/hour seems unimaginable today. With the economic landscape shifting, I began to wonder: who earns the least in Colorado in 2026?
To complement our insights into the highest paying jobs in Colorado, we utilized the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics to pinpoint the state’s lowest paying occupations.
Our research indicates that as of 2026, Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other rank as the lowest paid in Colorado.
Here’s a quick overview of the 10 lowest paying jobs in Colorado:
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Baggage Porters and Bellhops
- Gaming Dealers
- Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers
- Dishwashers
- Cooks, Fast Food
- Combined Food Preparation and Serving Workers, Including Fast Food
- Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, and Coffee Shop
- Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials
For further insights on the financial landscape of low-paying jobs, continue reading or explore additional resources on Colorado’s job market:
- The 10 Best Places in Colorado to Get a Job
- 10 Best Startups to Work For in Denver
- The 10 Fastest Growing Jobs In Colorado
How We Determined the Lowest Paid Jobs in Colorado
We analyzed the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data set for all job classifications in Colorado to identify those with the lowest compensation. The information is current as of May 2026 and will be updated annually as new data becomes available.
For more valuable insights, check out:
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Denver
- The 100 Highest Paying Jobs In Colorado
- The 100 Largest Companies In Colorado
Detailed List Of The Lowest Paying Jobs In Colorado
| Rank | Job Title | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Food Preparation And Serving Related Workers, All Other | $23,650 |
| 2 | Dining Room And Cafeteria Attendants And Bartender Helpers | $23,860 |
| 3 | Baggage Porters And Bellhops | $23,970 |
| 4 | Gaming Dealers | $24,000 |
| 5 | Ushers, Lobby Attendants, And Ticket Takers | $24,090 |
| 6 | Dishwashers | $24,110 |
| 7 | Cooks, Fast Food | $24,130 |
| 8 | Combined Food Preparation And Serving Workers, Including Fast Food | $24,290 |
| 9 | Counter Attendants, Cafeteria, Food Concession, And Coffee Shop | $24,300 |
| 10 | Pressers, Textile, Garment, And Related Materials | $24,800 |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
