Highest-paying jobs in Colorado
Answer
Emergency Medicine Physicians have the highest median pay in Colorado, $239,200+ a year, followed by radiologists ($344,270) and airline pilots, copilots, and flight engineers ($307,490). The median for all jobs in Colorado is $59,800, 5th of the 50 states and DC; adjusted for local prices it ranks 6th.
- Median salary, all jobs
- $59,800
- 5th of 51 · US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $28.75
- US $24.51
- Price level (US = 100)
- 103.1
- Median worth $58,029 at US prices (6th)
- Jobs
- 2,873,900
- 688 occupations published
How these lists work
Occupations with at least 500 jobs in Colorado, ranked by median annual wage (BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates). Typical entry education from BLS Employment Projections 2025–35. Occupations BLS did not publish for Colorado are not listed. Methodology
The 25 highest-paying jobs in Colorado
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | US median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emergency Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $115.00+ | 780 | $335,550 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 2 | Radiologists | $344,270 | $165.52 | 500 | $420,860 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 3 | Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers | $307,490 | — | 5,830 | $232,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physicians | $265,560 | $127.67 | 2,700 | $244,180 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $199,420 | $95.87 | 11,510 | $175,140 | Bachelor's degree |
| 6 | Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates | $198,790 | $95.57 | 620 | $153,990 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 7 | Pediatricians, General | $196,440 | $94.44 | 570 | $210,040 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $183,810 | $88.37 | 4,900 | $171,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Marketing Managers | $182,730 | $87.85 | 6,010 | $166,790 | Bachelor's degree |
| 10 | Financial Managers | $182,690 | $87.83 | 10,640 | $166,570 | Bachelor's degree |
| 11 | Sales Managers | $180,850 | $86.95 | 8,780 | $148,270 | Bachelor's degree |
| 12 | Air Traffic Controllers | $177,380 | $85.28 | 740 | $148,080 | Associate's degree |
| 13 | Petroleum Engineers | $172,190 | $82.78 | 1,390 | $144,910 | Bachelor's degree |
| 14 | Purchasing Managers | $171,250 | $82.33 | 1,320 | $148,080 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Lawyers | $168,520 | $81.02 | 16,720 | $159,670 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 16 | Human Resources Managers | $166,400 | $80.00 | 3,620 | $149,280 | Bachelor's degree |
| 17 | Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 | 2,940 | $170,950 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 18 | Administrative Services Managers | $157,000 | $75.48 | 2,340 | $114,130 | Bachelor's degree |
| 19 | Aerospace Engineers | $156,190 | $75.09 | 4,070 | $134,960 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Computer Hardware Engineers | $156,080 | $75.04 | 2,660 | $161,740 | Bachelor's degree |
| 21 | Pharmacists | $156,030 | $75.01 | 4,560 | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 22 | Database Architects | $154,560 | $74.31 | 1,950 | $139,500 | Bachelor's degree |
| 23 | Natural Sciences Managers | $152,730 | $73.43 | 1,640 | $167,220 | Bachelor's degree |
| 24 | Optometrists | $152,000 | $73.08 | 880 | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree |
| 25 | Industrial Production Managers | $141,020 | $67.80 | 1,730 | $126,060 | Bachelor's degree |
Highest-paying jobs in Colorado without a degree
Typical entry education is a high school diploma, no formal credential, some college or a postsecondary certificate.
| # | Occupation | Median pay | Hourly median | Jobs | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | $132,610 | $63.75 | 2,310 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 2 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $126,810 | $60.97 | 2,790 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 3 | Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $123,360 | $59.31 | 530 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 4 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | $110,450 | $53.10 | 8,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 5 | Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $105,480 | $50.71 | 1,930 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 6 | Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $103,980 | $49.99 | 2,370 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers | $100,080 | $48.12 | 2,230 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 8 | Gas Plant Operators | $98,080 | $47.15 | 570 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 9 | Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $97,350 | $46.81 | 9,610 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 10 | Lodging Managers | $91,750 | $44.11 | 1,100 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $83,260 | $40.03 | 13,590 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $81,460 | $39.16 | 810 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 13 | Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $81,310 | $39.09 | 560 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 14 | First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $81,230 | $39.05 | 21,380 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 15 | Real Estate Brokers | $79,970 | $38.45 | 3,280 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Most common jobs in Colorado
| # | Occupation | Jobs | Median pay | Hourly median | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fast Food and Counter Workers | 82,010 | $36,270 | $17.44 | No formal educational credential |
| 2 | Retail Salespersons | 76,660 | $37,950 | $18.25 | No formal educational credential |
| 3 | Stockers and Order Fillers | 55,520 | $42,350 | $20.36 | No formal educational credential |
| 4 | Registered Nurses | 54,490 | $100,260 | $48.20 | Bachelor's degree |
| 5 | Cashiers | 51,670 | $36,870 | $17.72 | No formal educational credential |
| 6 | Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 44,650 | $38,540 | $18.53 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 7 | Software Developers | 43,320 | $138,390 | $66.53 | Bachelor's degree |
| 8 | General and Operations Managers | 41,870 | $131,840 | $63.39 | Bachelor's degree |
| 9 | Waiters and Waitresses | 40,680 | $44,860 | $21.57 | No formal educational credential |
| 10 | Customer Service Representatives | 38,770 | $47,540 | $22.86 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 11 | Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 37,810 | $79,810 | $38.37 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 12 | Accountants and Auditors | 35,410 | $97,030 | $46.65 | Bachelor's degree |
| 13 | Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 34,220 | $38,600 | $18.56 | No formal educational credential |
| 14 | Project Management Specialists | 32,390 | $110,050 | $52.91 | Bachelor's degree |
| 15 | Office Clerks, General | 31,770 | $53,550 | $25.75 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 16 | Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 31,140 | $45,370 | $21.81 | No formal educational credential |
| 17 | Cooks, Restaurant | 30,600 | $41,600 | $20.00 | No formal educational credential |
| 18 | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | 29,120 | $48,690 | $23.41 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| 19 | Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 27,880 | $93,050 | $44.74 | Bachelor's degree |
| 20 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | 27,530 | $79,250 | $38.10 | High school diploma or equivalent |
Jobs concentrated in Colorado
Concentration is the location quotient: the occupation’s share of jobs in the state divided by its share nationally. 2.0× means twice as common as in the US overall.
| # | Occupation | Concentration vs. US | Jobs | Median pay |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Atmospheric and Space Scientists | 6.2× | 1,150 | $104,670 |
| 2 | Mining and Geological Engineers, Including Mining Safety Engineers | 6.0× | 670 | $96,820 |
| 3 | Computer Network Architects | 4.9× | 16,380 | $139,230 |
| 4 | Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | 4.6× | 1,220 | $86,960 |
| 5 | Petroleum Engineers | 4.2× | 1,390 | $172,190 |
| 6 | Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials | 3.8× | 1,120 | $44,230 |
| 7 | Real Estate Brokers | 3.8× | 3,280 | $79,970 |
| 8 | Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas | 3.7× | 2,930 | $60,290 |
| 9 | Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | 3.4× | 1,480 | $114,410 |
| 10 | Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | 3.4× | 6,080 | $127,010 |
| 11 | Aerospace Engineers | 3.3× | 4,070 | $156,190 |
| 12 | Bicycle Repairers | 3.3× | 730 | $47,620 |
What 136 careers pay in Colorado
Click a heading to sort
| Cardiologist | $239,200+ | — | — | $496,010 | 200 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OB-GYN | $239,200+ | — | — | $292,910 | 410 |
| Orthodontist | $416,000 | 2 | $403,680 | $289,140 | 160 |
| Dermatologist | $398,810 | 13 | $386,999 | $328,730 | 260 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $385,410 | 19 | $373,996 | $358,550 | 410 |
| Neurologist | $356,250 | 6 | $345,699 | $248,560 | 120 |
| Radiologist | $344,270 | 22 | $334,074 | $420,860 | 500 |
| Airline Pilot | $307,490 | 6 | $298,383 | $232,140 | 5,830 |
| Pathologist | $294,510 | 19 | $285,788 | $312,400 | 50 |
| Psychiatrist | $266,370 | 25 | $258,481 | $281,870 | 270 |
| Judge | $198,790 | 10 | $192,903 | $153,990 | 620 |
| Pediatrician | $196,440 | 34 | $190,622 | $210,040 | 570 |
| Marketing Manager | $182,730 | 4 | $177,318 | $166,790 | 6,010 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $177,380 | 4 | $172,127 | $148,080 | 740 |
| Lawyer | $168,520 | 6 | $163,529 | $159,670 | 16,720 |
| HR Manager | $166,400 | 7 | $161,472 | $149,280 | 3,620 |
| Dentist | $166,240 | 31 | $161,317 | $170,950 | 2,940 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $156,190 | 6 | $151,564 | $134,960 | 4,070 |
| Computer Engineer | $156,080 | 10 | $151,458 | $161,740 | 2,660 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | 7 | $151,409 | $140,910 | 4,560 |
| Optometrist | $152,000 | 11 | $147,498 | $136,570 | 880 |
| Commercial Pilot | $139,680 | 8 | $135,543 | $123,220 | 1,240 |
| Network Engineer | $139,230 | 11 | $135,107 | $134,050 | 16,380 |
| Software Engineer | $138,390 | 8 | $134,291 | $135,980 | 43,320 |
| Nurse Midwife | $137,610 | 13 | $133,535 | $134,040 | 180 |
| Cybersecurity Analyst | $135,220 | 6 | $131,215 | $129,180 | 5,700 |
| Healthcare Administrator | $134,910 | 8 | $130,914 | $123,860 | 8,400 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | 28 | $130,555 | $135,880 | 3,270 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | 20 | $128,993 | $132,300 | 4,270 |
| Operations Manager | $131,840 | 7 | $127,935 | $105,770 | 41,870 |
| Veterinarian | $130,840 | 15 | $126,965 | $130,100 | 2,340 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | 14 | $122,074 | $125,040 | 720 |
| Construction Manager | $124,830 | 14 | $121,133 | $114,990 | 12,550 |
| School Psychologist | $124,770 | 2 | $121,075 | $95,990 | 1,380 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $124,430 | 5 | $120,745 | $104,110 | 7,190 |
| Elevator Mechanic | $123,360 | 12 | $119,707 | $109,910 | 530 |
| Electrical Engineer | $120,760 | 16 | $117,184 | $120,630 | 4,200 |
| Actuary | $120,440 | 23 | $116,873 | $130,000 | 500 |
| Data Scientist | $117,400 | 15 | $113,923 | $120,230 | 6,280 |
| Psychologist | $113,290 | 13 | $109,935 | $100,580 | 1,170 |
| Speech-language Pathologist | $110,750 | 2 | $107,470 | $97,870 | 4,420 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $110,650 | 10 | $107,373 | $109,370 | — |
| School Principal | $110,530 | 20 | $107,257 | $105,870 | 5,760 |
| Project Manager | $110,050 | 8 | $106,791 | $102,320 | 32,390 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | 7 | $106,335 | $98,100 | 4,270 |
| Ultrasound Technician | $108,410 | 6 | $105,199 | $96,590 | 1,430 |
| Radiation Therapist | $108,020 | 11 | $104,821 | $105,310 | 320 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | 7 | $103,559 | $100,330 | 3,390 |
| Detective | $105,480 | 13 | $102,356 | $93,790 | 1,930 |
| MRI Technician | $105,380 | 11 | $102,259 | $95,480 | 670 |
| Business Analyst | $104,750 | 11 | $101,648 | $101,860 | 14,360 |
| Meteorologist | $104,670 | 18 | $101,570 | $99,070 | 1,150 |
| Lineman | $103,980 | 20 | $100,901 | $95,320 | 2,370 |
| Financial Analyst | $103,850 | 11 | $100,774 | $102,740 | 8,040 |
| Architect | $102,400 | 9 | $99,367 | $99,280 | 3,290 |
| Audiologist | $102,270 | 15 | $99,241 | $95,780 | 430 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | 17 | $99,008 | $102,760 | 5,630 |
| Civil Engineer | $101,420 | 16 | $98,416 | $100,840 | 13,290 |
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| Labor and Delivery Nurse (RN data) | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| NICU Nurse (RN data) | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| Travel Nurse (RN data) | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| ICU Nurse (RN data) | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| Pediatric Nurse (RN data) | $100,260 | 14 | $97,291 | $97,550 | 54,490 |
| Police Officer | $97,350 | 5 | $94,467 | $76,210 | 9,610 |
| Accountant | $97,030 | 7 | $94,156 | $83,680 | 35,410 |
| UX Designer | $95,880 | 16 | $93,040 | $104,000 | 3,250 |
| Loan Officer | $94,520 | 5 | $91,721 | $76,690 | 3,230 |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $94,190 | 9 | $91,400 | $74,310 | 720 |
| Financial Advisor | $89,280 | 34 | $86,636 | $105,070 | 6,730 |
| Radiology Technician | $87,760 | 13 | $85,161 | $80,110 | 3,960 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | 15 | $83,666 | $82,280 | 2,110 |
| Web Developer | $85,950 | 18 | $83,404 | $92,650 | 1,680 |
| Forensic Scientist | $84,010 | 4 | $81,522 | $72,060 | 510 |
| Marine Biologist (Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist data) | $83,300 | 11 | $80,833 | $76,780 | 730 |
| Court Reporter | $83,010 | 8 | $80,552 | $72,420 | 260 |
| Aircraft Mechanic | $82,080 | 17 | $79,649 | $79,870 | 2,690 |
| HR Specialist | $80,840 | 9 | $78,446 | $75,940 | 19,450 |
| Interior Designer | $78,390 | 5 | $76,068 | $67,190 | 2,300 |
| Paralegal | $78,190 | 3 | $75,874 | $62,890 | 5,620 |
| Claims Adjuster | $77,620 | 23 | $75,321 | $78,000 | 5,680 |
| Train Conductor | $77,550 | 16 | $75,253 | $78,000 | 490 |
| Crane Operator | $77,120 | 17 | $74,836 | $68,080 | 470 |
| Librarian | $76,480 | 16 | $74,215 | $68,270 | 1,990 |
| Surgical Technician | $75,740 | 12 | $73,497 | $64,650 | 2,100 |
| Nutritionist | $75,510 | 18 | $73,274 | $76,400 | 1,640 |
| Firefighter | $74,170 | 8 | $71,973 | $59,280 | 6,510 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | 37 | $71,847 | $79,200 | 1,340 |
| LPN | $73,880 | 14 | $71,692 | $64,400 | 4,920 |
| High School Teacher | $72,900 | 23 | $70,741 | $72,040 | 18,310 |
| IT Support Specialist | $71,900 | 6 | $69,771 | $61,860 | 16,740 |
| TSA Officer | $71,530 | 7 | $69,412 | $66,770 | 1,250 |
| Diesel Mechanic | $70,480 | 9 | $68,393 | $61,770 | 4,600 |
| Medical Lab Technician | $70,050 | 12 | $67,975 | $62,930 | 5,000 |
| Insurance Agent | $68,730 | 16 | $66,694 | $62,280 | 9,530 |
| Graphic Designer | $66,330 | 11 | $64,366 | $62,960 | 4,200 |
| Chef | $65,400 | 14 | $63,463 | $62,470 | 3,970 |
| HVAC Technician | $65,200 | 16 | $63,269 | $61,010 | 8,940 |
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $64,810 | 26 | $62,891 | $68,380 | 1,350 |
| School Counselor | $64,780 | 18 | $62,861 | $64,330 | 6,530 |
| Athletic Trainer | $64,580 | 13 | $62,667 | $62,520 | 380 |
| Paramedic | $63,910 | 17 | $62,017 | $60,600 | 2,110 |
| Real Estate Agent | $63,670 | 12 | $61,784 | $52,830 | 6,120 |
| Elementary School Teacher | $63,410 | 25 | $61,532 | $63,970 | 24,860 |
| Plumber | $63,240 | 30 | $61,367 | $63,800 | 10,080 |
| Bus Driver | $63,010 | 10 | $61,144 | $59,050 | 3,540 |
| Carpenter | $62,830 | 14 | $60,969 | $60,580 | 12,740 |
| Mental Health Counselor | $62,390 | 15 | $60,542 | $59,350 | 14,920 |
| Electrician | $62,230 | 33 | $60,387 | $63,190 | 17,010 |
| Correctional Officer | $62,140 | 20 | $60,300 | $58,940 | 7,290 |
| Truck Driver | $61,500 | 10 | $59,679 | $58,640 | 25,350 |
| Barber | $61,500 | 3 | $59,679 | $38,210 | 480 |
| Auto Mechanic | $61,280 | 3 | $59,465 | $50,620 | 12,300 |
| Massage Therapist | $61,060 | 21 | $59,252 | $58,450 | 3,950 |
| Mortician | $60,850 | 12 | $59,048 | $55,010 | 320 |
| Marriage and Family Therapist | $60,700 | 26 | $58,902 | $66,940 | 900 |
| Garbage Collector | $60,310 | 9 | $58,524 | $49,690 | 3,700 |
| Mail Carrier | $59,880 | 22 | $58,107 | $60,550 | 5,100 |
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | 15 | $57,738 | $63,580 | 7,110 |
| Medical Billing and Coding Specialist | $59,020 | 12 | $57,272 | $51,140 | 1,780 |
| Welder | $58,590 | 21 | $56,855 | $53,750 | 4,970 |
| Esthetician | $54,500 | 8 | $52,886 | $45,330 | 1,510 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $49,970 | 5 | $48,490 | $45,750 | 6,010 |
| Personal Trainer | $49,900 | 10 | $48,422 | $47,160 | 10,500 |
| Vet Tech | $49,650 | 12 | $48,180 | $47,380 | 3,720 |
| Private Investigator | $48,730 | 27 | $47,287 | $51,220 | 540 |
| Medical Assistant | $48,400 | 10 | $46,967 | $45,690 | 13,160 |
| Dental Assistant | $48,340 | 22 | $46,908 | $48,070 | 8,360 |
| Construction Worker | $47,900 | 26 | $46,481 | $47,120 | 18,680 |
| Sterile Processing Technician | $47,700 | 21 | $46,287 | $47,700 | 1,950 |
| CNA | $47,380 | 7 | $45,977 | $42,260 | 22,240 |
| Phlebotomist | $47,180 | 12 | $45,783 | $45,230 | 2,420 |
| EMT | $45,750 | 18 | $44,395 | $44,470 | 3,060 |
| Bartender | $38,170 | 12 | $37,040 | $34,340 | 17,000 |
| Cosmetologist | $37,690 | 13 | $36,574 | $35,790 | 6,820 |
| Nail Technician | $37,110 | 16 | $36,011 | $35,760 | 3,970 |
BLS OEWS, May 2025, state estimates; adjusted with BEA regional price parities (2024). Rank among states: 1 = highest median of the states with published data.