Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Colorado

Every occupation here is paid more in dollars than it was in 2019 and less in what those dollars buy. Prices rose about 26% over the period; these wages did not keep up. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people.

Cost of living: prices in Colorado run 3.1% above the national average (2024), so a Colorado salary is worth about 0.97× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in Colorado.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in Colorado

OccupationMedian, Colorado · Real change since 2019

1Physicists$104,580
Doctoral or professional degree
$82,340 – $210,950-38.9%-23.0% nominal
2Real Estate Sales Agents$63,670
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,040 – $128,220-29.7%-11.4% nominal
3Education Teachers, Postsecondary$66,870
Doctoral or professional degree
$32,000 – $107,200-24.6%-5.1% nominal
4Rehabilitation Counselors$47,840
Master's degree
$36,460 – $89,510-22.8%-2.8% nominal
5Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators$58,470
No formal educational credential
$45,530 – $76,360-22.8%-2.8% nominal
6Personal Financial Advisors$89,280
Bachelor's degree
$57,020 – $269,500-21.5%-1.2% nominal
7Business Teachers, Postsecondary$78,210
Doctoral or professional degree
$37,830 – $166,020-17.4%+4.0% nominal
8Lodging Managers$91,750
High school diploma or equivalent
$56,990 – $190,420-16.5%+5.1% nominal
9Plant and System Operators, All Other$51,600
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,930 – $81,040-16.0%+5.8% nominal
10Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$59,050
Associate's degree
$46,450 – $84,550-15.6%+6.3% nominal
11Tax Preparers$62,620
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,790 – $97,980-15.1%+6.9% nominal
12Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$85,990
Bachelor's degree
$65,260 – $140,340-15.0%+7.1% nominal
13Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary$104,070
Doctoral or professional degree
$54,330 – $171,520-14.4%+7.8% nominal
14Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$80,530
Doctoral or professional degree
$30,800 – $139,900-14.4%+7.8% nominal
15Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$76,810
Doctoral or professional degree
$39,580 – $132,980-13.8%+8.6% nominal
16Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$77,440
Associate's degree
$52,110 – $105,350-13.4%+9.0% nominal
17Marketing Managers$182,730
Bachelor's degree
$121,560 – $289,870-13.3%+9.2% nominal
18First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$102,580
Postsecondary nondegree award
$73,320 – $141,390-12.8%+9.9% nominal
19Sales Engineers$139,990
Bachelor's degree
$83,420 – $203,230-12.7%+9.9% nominal
20Roustabouts, Oil and Gas$49,050
No formal educational credential
$45,170 – $60,490-12.5%+10.2% nominal
21Architectural and Engineering Managers$183,810
Bachelor's degree
$135,380 – $272,950-12.1%+10.7% nominal
22Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door$63,770
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,990 – $92,110-11.9%+10.9% nominal
23Education Administrators, All Other$107,120
Bachelor's degree
$59,330 – $170,900-11.9%+10.9% nominal
24Industrial Production Managers$141,020
Bachelor's degree
$86,460 – $230,410-11.8%+11.0% nominal
25Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$136,930
Doctoral or professional degree
$69,890 – $360,240-11.7%+11.2% nominal
26First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$60,840
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,370 – $86,690-11.6%+11.3% nominal
27Industrial Engineers$109,750
Bachelor's degree
$80,480 – $159,990-11.3%+11.7% nominal
28Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary$82,530
Doctoral or professional degree
$39,850 – $127,800-10.9%+12.2% nominal
29Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$49,590
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,270 – $76,510-10.8%+12.3% nominal
30Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$62,250
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,310 – $95,920-10.8%+12.4% nominal
31Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$77,620
High school diploma or equivalent
$59,550 – $123,360-10.7%+12.4% nominal
32First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$65,380
High school diploma or equivalent
$49,820 – $100,020-10.2%+13.1% nominal
33Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$47,020
High school diploma or equivalent
$42,670 – $66,250-10.0%+13.3% nominal
34Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$49,900
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,110 – $87,340-9.9%+13.5% nominal
35First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$126,810
High school diploma or equivalent
$88,800 – $156,310-9.4%+14.1% nominal
36Computer Programmers$104,610
Bachelor's degree
$68,320 – $199,830-9.3%+14.2% nominal
37Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$59,490
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,060 – $103,200-9.3%+14.3% nominal
38Training and Development Specialists$75,790
Bachelor's degree
$37,490 – $116,970-9.3%+14.2% nominal
39Environmental Engineers$106,890
Bachelor's degree
$66,390 – $165,870-9.0%+14.6% nominal
40Social Workers, All Other$61,610
Bachelor's degree
$45,950 – $104,250-9.0%+14.5% nominal
41Electricians$62,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$45,520 – $94,160-8.9%+14.7% nominal
42First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$55,100
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,310 – $81,140-8.9%+14.7% nominal
43Physical Therapist Assistants$64,810
Associate's degree
$48,580 – $89,550-8.7%+15.0% nominal
44Dental Assistants$48,340
Postsecondary nondegree award
$38,500 – $60,540-8.4%+15.4% nominal
45Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$76,410
Postsecondary nondegree award
$51,030 – $88,660-8.3%+15.5% nominal
46Engineers, All Other$132,590
Bachelor's degree
$75,900 – $195,190-8.1%+15.7% nominal
47Medical Equipment Preparers$47,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,760 – $65,170-7.9%+15.9% nominal
48Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$127,010
Bachelor's degree
$84,510 – $191,140-7.9%+16.0% nominal
49Healthcare Social Workers$63,480
Master's degree
$45,810 – $95,230-7.7%+16.3% nominal
50First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$81,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$59,740 – $122,770-7.6%+16.3% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianColorado	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	PhysicistsDoctoral or professional degree	$104,580	$82,340 – $210,950	-38.9%-23.0% nominal
2	Real Estate Sales AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,670	$37,040 – $128,220	-29.7%-11.4% nominal
3	Education Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$66,870	$32,000 – $107,200	-24.6%-5.1% nominal
4	Rehabilitation CounselorsMaster's degree	$47,840	$36,460 – $89,510	-22.8%-2.8% nominal
5	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine OperatorsNo formal educational credential	$58,470	$45,530 – $76,360	-22.8%-2.8% nominal
6	Personal Financial AdvisorsBachelor's degree	$89,280	$57,020 – $269,500	-21.5%-1.2% nominal
7	Business Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$78,210	$37,830 – $166,020	-17.4%+4.0% nominal
8	Lodging ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$91,750	$56,990 – $190,420	-16.5%+5.1% nominal
9	Plant and System Operators, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,600	$40,930 – $81,040	-16.0%+5.8% nominal
10	Civil Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$59,050	$46,450 – $84,550	-15.6%+6.3% nominal
11	Tax PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,620	$37,790 – $97,980	-15.1%+6.9% nominal
12	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree	$85,990	$65,260 – $140,340	-15.0%+7.1% nominal
13	Engineering Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$104,070	$54,330 – $171,520	-14.4%+7.8% nominal
14	Computer Science Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$80,530	$30,800 – $139,900	-14.4%+7.8% nominal
15	Psychology Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$76,810	$39,580 – $132,980	-13.8%+8.6% nominal
16	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$77,440	$52,110 – $105,350	-13.4%+9.0% nominal
17	Marketing ManagersBachelor's degree	$182,730	$121,560 – $289,870	-13.3%+9.2% nominal
18	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention WorkersPostsecondary nondegree award	$102,580	$73,320 – $141,390	-12.8%+9.9% nominal
19	Sales EngineersBachelor's degree	$139,990	$83,420 – $203,230	-12.7%+9.9% nominal
20	Roustabouts, Oil and GasNo formal educational credential	$49,050	$45,170 – $60,490	-12.5%+10.2% nominal
21	Architectural and Engineering ManagersBachelor's degree	$183,810	$135,380 – $272,950	-12.1%+10.7% nominal
22	Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical DoorHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,770	$47,990 – $92,110	-11.9%+10.9% nominal
23	Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree	$107,120	$59,330 – $170,900	-11.9%+10.9% nominal
24	Industrial Production ManagersBachelor's degree	$141,020	$86,460 – $230,410	-11.8%+11.0% nominal
25	Health Specialties Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$136,930	$69,890 – $360,240	-11.7%+11.2% nominal
26	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$60,840	$46,370 – $86,690	-11.6%+11.3% nominal
27	Industrial EngineersBachelor's degree	$109,750	$80,480 – $159,990	-11.3%+11.7% nominal
28	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, PostsecondaryDoctoral or professional degree	$82,530	$39,850 – $127,800	-10.9%+12.2% nominal
29	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,590	$38,270 – $76,510	-10.8%+12.3% nominal
30	Security and Fire Alarm Systems InstallersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,250	$46,310 – $95,920	-10.8%+12.4% nominal
31	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and InvestigatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,620	$59,550 – $123,360	-10.7%+12.4% nominal
32	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling SupervisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$65,380	$49,820 – $100,020	-10.2%+13.1% nominal
33	Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, VegetationHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,020	$42,670 – $66,250	-10.0%+13.3% nominal
34	Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness InstructorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,900	$34,110 – $87,340	-9.9%+13.5% nominal
35	First-Line Supervisors of Police and DetectivesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$126,810	$88,800 – $156,310	-9.4%+14.1% nominal
36	Computer ProgrammersBachelor's degree	$104,610	$68,320 – $199,830	-9.3%+14.2% nominal
37	Legal Secretaries and Administrative AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$59,490	$44,060 – $103,200	-9.3%+14.3% nominal
38	Training and Development SpecialistsBachelor's degree	$75,790	$37,490 – $116,970	-9.3%+14.2% nominal
39	Environmental EngineersBachelor's degree	$106,890	$66,390 – $165,870	-9.0%+14.6% nominal
40	Social Workers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$61,610	$45,950 – $104,250	-9.0%+14.5% nominal
41	ElectriciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,230	$45,520 – $94,160	-8.9%+14.7% nominal
42	First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$55,100	$39,310 – $81,140	-8.9%+14.7% nominal
43	Physical Therapist AssistantsAssociate's degree	$64,810	$48,580 – $89,550	-8.7%+15.0% nominal
44	Dental AssistantsPostsecondary nondegree award	$48,340	$38,500 – $60,540	-8.4%+15.4% nominal
45	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$76,410	$51,030 – $88,660	-8.3%+15.5% nominal
46	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$132,590	$75,900 – $195,190	-8.1%+15.7% nominal
47	Medical Equipment PreparersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,700	$35,760 – $65,170	-7.9%+15.9% nominal
48	Electronics Engineers, Except ComputerBachelor's degree	$127,010	$84,510 – $191,140	-7.9%+16.0% nominal
49	Healthcare Social WorkersMaster's degree	$63,480	$45,810 – $95,230	-7.7%+16.3% nominal
50	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$81,230	$59,740 – $122,770	-7.6%+16.3% nominal

More for Colorado

Metro areas in Colorado

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in Colorado

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in Colorado to rank honestly.

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in Colorado

More for Colorado

Metro areas in Colorado

By field in Colorado

Without a degree

Jobs that lost the most to inflation in each state