With an average cost of living index of 121.1, higher than the US average of 100, Colorado is one of the pricier US states to call home, especially if you live in Denver County. For this reason, it’s probably wise to have some idea of what the highest-paying jobs in Colorado are.
This article has just the information you need, with the state’s highest-paying jobs ranked by average salary. No college education? No problem. We’ve also listed the best jobs in Colorado that don’t require a college degree.
Colorado Economic Outlook
The economy of Colorado continues to recover in the post-pandemic period. Colorado’s unemployment rate fell to 4.1 percent in January 2022, regaining 98.4 percent of jobs lost in the earliest days of the pandemic. Colorado is also home to some of the largest companies in the world, with some of Colorado’s largest companies being Macy’s, RE/MAX, and Catholic Health Initiatives.
The Highest-Paying Jobs in Colorado
| Job Title | Average Salary in Colorado | Average Salary in the US |
|---|---|---|
| Gynecologist | $273,505 | $214,488 |
| Chief Executive Officer | $153,798 | $284,798 |
| Engineering Manager | $127,759 | $170,327 |
| Information Systems Manager | $110,580 | $125,683 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $100,531 | $111,964 |
| Attorney | $98,044 | $87,508 |
| Sales Manager | $89,563 | $88,400 |
| Industrial Engineer | $76,662 | $83,039 |
| Airline Pilot | $65,488 | $109,900 |
| Natural Resource Specialist | $62,944 | $71,519 |
The Best Jobs in Colorado: Explained
In the preceding table, we listed some of the highest-paying jobs in Colorado. In this section, we expand on that list and explain in detail what these jobs entail.
1. Gynecologists
A gynecologist or obstetrician holds a professional degree in medicine and specializes in women’s health. Gynecologists diagnose medical conditions and illnesses in women. They also focus on pregnancy, postpartum, and childbirth.
2. Chief Executive Officer
Chief executive officers, also known as CEOs, are the highest-ranking employees at a company or organization. They are responsible for making corporate decisions. They are also responsible for the creation and implementation of strategies to improve a company’s profits. Keep in mind that the compensation for CEOs varies considerably.
3. Engineering Manager
Engineering managers are in charge of the planning, coordinating, and overseeing of all an organization’s technical and engineering activities. They oversee the running of projects and manage a team of engineers.
4. Information Systems Manager
An information systems manager, also known as an IT manager, is responsible for the effective operation of computer systems as well as all related applications and hardware and software devices. They assess a company’s computer needs and work to meet those needs. You can attend a coding bootcamp in Denver, or other major Colorado cities to gain the skills you need to work in IT.
5. Aerospace Engineer
Aerospace engineers design and test products that serve the aeronautical industry as well as the space industry. They are also in charge of the direction and coordination of the design and manufacture of aircraft.
6. Attorney
Attorneys are a popular occupation in the US, with over 1.33 million lawyers in the US in 2020. Attorneys hold a professional degree in law and represent and advise their clients in civil and criminal cases. They provide legal support and guidance, and they also develop strategies to resolve legal cases favorably.
7. Sales Manager
Sales managers play a major role in any sales process. Some responsibilities include leading a sales team, setting and hitting sales targets, designing strategic sales plans, and executing implementation.
8. Industrial Engineer
Industrial engineers are responsible for the creation, development, and implementation of manufacturing systems. They are also responsible for the analysis of operations and the design of workflows.
9. Airline Pilot
The job description of a local or international airline pilot includes formulating flight plans, taking into notice aircraft performance, conducting pre-flight checks, and collaborating with flight attendants.
10. Natural Resource Specialist
Natural resource specialists have a lot of job responsibilities and require a broad body of knowledge. A few of their responsibilities include the management and execution of projects, maintenance of data, issuance of gas and oil drilling permits, and inspection of agricultural leases.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Colorado Without a Degree
- Athletes and Sports Competitors | $167,240. Athletes and sports competitors do not need a bachelor’s degree or even an associate degree. They participate in official sporting events. They also exercise and practice under trainers and work irregular hours.
- Commercial Pilot | $109,890. Commercial pilots are also known as charter pilots and have various job responsibilities. They do not require a professional degree, though enrolling in training programs is advised. They fly passenger and cargo planes.
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $99,330. First-line supervisors of police and detectives supervise the investigation of criminal cases. They provide their expertise to investigators, and they also work to ensure all procedures carried out are in line with the law.
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $78,230. First-line supervisors of firefighting and prevention workers do not need a college degree, but the job demands some typical on-the-job training. They have many responsibilities, including working as the leader of an engine, or a firefighter team. They are also in charge of assigning firefighters to locations to rescue people during a fire outbreak.
- Transportation Managers | $68,243. Transportation managers do not need a college education or college degree. Their job is to direct and oversee transportation and logistics.
What Is the Cost of Living in Colorado?
The cost of living index in Colorado is 121.1. This compares unfavorably to the US average of 100, meaning that Colorado is an expensive place to live. The cost of living will vary from county to county in Colorado. Denver County, which is coterminous with the city of Denver, has the highest cost of living in the state.
Is Colorado a Good Place to Work?
Yes, Colorado is a good place to work. Colorado is a state with a diverse economy. It has numerous industries, such as the healthcare, military, agriculture, and tourism industries. It is also home to major companies like Macy’s and RE/MAX.
The job market in Colorado is also robust. Colorado’s job market bounced back from the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with a recent decrease in unemployment to around four percent.
Highest-Paying Jobs in Colorado FAQ
The most popular job in Colorado, according to The Colorado Sun, is a registered nurse (RN). This was determined by the number of times the position was advertised in Colorado. According to ZipRecruiter, Colorado RNs make an annual salary of $72,742.
The minimum wage in Colorado as of 2022 is $12.56, significantly higher than the federal minimum wage of $7.25. The annual wage for the average jobs category in Colorado, according to ZipRecruiter, is $68,947, or approximately $30.30 per hour.
A middle-class income in Colorado for a family consisting of two adults and two children ranges from $69,000 to $208,000. For a family with no children, according to the Bell Policy Center, an income between $22,000 and $68,000 is considered middle class in Colorado.
The highest-income counties in Colorado are Pitkin County, Mineral County, Hinsdale County, Douglas County, and San Miguel County.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
