Colorado Salary Guide (2026)
Whether you're evaluating a job offer, negotiating a raise, or relocating to Colorado, understanding what salaries look like in the CO job market is essential. Here's the latest SalaryLabs wage and tax context for pay in Colorado.
Average Salaries in Colorado by Occupation (2026)
| Job Title | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 122.000 | 58.65 | 10.167 |
| Registered Nurse | 78.000 | 37.50 | 6.500 |
| Teacher (Public) | 58.000 | 27.88 | 4.833 |
| Data Scientist | 112.000 | 53.85 | 9.333 |
| Accountant | 68.000 | 32.69 | 5.667 |
Source note: SalaryLabs editorial state wage references informed by public BLS wage context. Figures are directional benchmarks for Colorado, not a live official lookup.
How to use this page: treat it as a quick state snapshot, not a filing-grade or relocation-grade answer. For a real decision, pair this directional wage context with the main Salary Calculator, Take Home Pay, and US Salary Heatmap.
Best use case in Colorado: use this page when the question is not just “what is my gross hourly rate?” but “how should I read a salary in this state before I go deeper?” The most useful signal here is the combination of Denver's higher local benchmark (82.000/year), 4.4% state income tax, and a cost-of-living index of 120. That mix tells you whether Colorado looks stronger as a paycheck state, a purchasing-power state, or simply a neutral gross-pay reference before you run a fuller take-home or relocation check.
Cost of Living in Colorado
Colorado's cost of living index is 120 (national average = 100). This means your salary in Colorado buys about 20% less than the same number in an average US state. A $100,000 salary in Colorado has the purchasing power of roughly $83.333 nationally.
Colorado Tax Overview (2026)
When you receive your paycheck in Colorado, the following deductions apply:
- Federal income tax: 10–37% depending on your income bracket (2026 IRS rates)
- Colorado state income tax: flat 4.4% for all income levels
- Social Security: 6.2% on income up to $184,500
- Medicare: 1.45% on all income (additional 0.9% above $200K)
Minimum Wage in Colorado (2026)
The minimum wage in Colorado is $14.42 per hour as of 2026. At 40 hours per week for 52 weeks, that equals $29.994/year gross. This is higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.