💰 COL Index: 97 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Fort Collins, CO

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$68,399
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$70,806
model average ÷ 96.6 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$156,012
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,350
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Fort Collins?

$68,399 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$68,399/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,700/month
Household income context$81,883

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 -1% vs national

Marketing Manager

$156,012
💡 Purchasing-power model $161,503
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $75.01/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
🥈 -1% vs national

Pharmacist

$134,642
💡 Purchasing-power model $139,381
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $64.73/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
🥉 -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,961
💡 Purchasing-power model $130,394
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $60.56/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
4️⃣ -1% vs national

Construction Manager

$107,106
💡 Purchasing-power model $110,876
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $51.49/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
5️⃣ -1% vs national

Project Manager

$100,246
💡 Purchasing-power model $103,774
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.20/hr
National projected growth +6.0%

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Fort Collins

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (96.6/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $156,012
2 Pharmacist $134,642
3 Software Developer $125,961
4 Construction Manager $107,106
5 Project Manager $100,246
6 Physical Therapist $98,692
7 Financial Analyst $98,000
8 Web Developer $91,803
9 Dental Hygienist $86,637
10 Accountant $85,201
11 Registered Nurse $85,192
12 Data Analyst $82,509
13 Police Officer $74,145
14 Human Resources Specialist $66,959
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,020
16 Plumber $62,703
17 Paralegal $62,109
18 Electrician $60,922
19 Real Estate Agent $60,852
20 Graphic Designer $60,714
21 Firefighter $56,537
22 Carpenter $56,339
23 HVAC Technician $55,102
24 Heavy Truck Driver $52,548
25 Loan Officer $49,490
26 Insurance Agent $49,490
27 Nail Technician $49,490
28 Personal Trainer $49,490
29 Cosmetologist $49,490
30 Chef/Head Cook $49,490
31 Auto Mechanic $49,490
32 Social Worker $49,490
33 Pharmacy Technician $49,490
34 Veterinary Technician $49,490
35 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,490
36 Dental Assistant $49,490
37 Welder $49,084
38 Medical Assistant $37,879
39 Security Guard $35,771
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,395

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Fort Collins salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.619×–1.484× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 96.6 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Fort Collins

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,350/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$1,646/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$555,000
📉
Unemployment
3.4%
💳
Median Income
$81,883
🎓
College Educated
47%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
97
Below Avg Cost

🧮 Test Your Fort Collins Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

Fort Collins Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Fort Collins mean on this page?

$68,399 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Fort Collins workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Fort Collins?

The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,700 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Fort Collins?

There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Fort Collins?

No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.619×–1.484× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Fort Collins

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

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