Top Paying Jobs in Colorado
Colorado has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 406,790 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Orthodontists ($416,000), Dermatologists ($398,810), Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($385,410). The cost of living index is 103.71 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,832/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$164K
Avg. median salary
103.71
Cost of living index
$1,832
Median 2BR rent
N/A
Population
Highest paying careers in Colorado
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orthodontists | Healthcare | $416K | $200/hr |
| 2 | Dermatologists | Healthcare | $399K | $191.74/hr |
| 3 | Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric | Healthcare | $385K | $185.3/hr |
| 4 | Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons | Healthcare | $361K | $173.47/hr |
| 5 | Neurologists | Healthcare | $356K | $171.27/hr |
| 6 | Radiologists | Healthcare | $344K | $165.52/hr |
| 7 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | Transportation | $307K | N/A |
| 8 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | Healthcare | $300K | $144.23/hr |
| 9 | Physicians, All Other | Healthcare | $298K | $143.42/hr |
| 10 | Physicians, Pathologists | Healthcare | $295K | $141.59/hr |
Affordability snapshot: Colorado
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average+3.7% more expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,832/mo
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Metro areas in Colorado
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Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data