๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 97 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Loveland, CO

What every job actually pays โ€” cost-of-living adjusted

Updated: February 2026 ยท 40 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$53,828
across 40 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$55,723
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$125,961
1BR Rent
$1,497
median monthly

Hereโ€™s something that might surprise you about Loveland: for a city of 79,000 people, it punches way above its weight in tech and healthcare pay. And with a 3.4% unemployment rate, youโ€™re not just getting a jobโ€”youโ€™re getting options.

Letโ€™s talk real purchasing power. The cityโ€™s cost of living sits at 96.6, meaning itโ€™s about 3-4% cheaper than the national average. That doesnโ€™t sound like much, but it adds up. A median household here brings in $77,160, which feels solid when youโ€™re paying $1,497 for a one-bedroom apartment. Youโ€™re not getting the steal youโ€™d find in the Midwest, but youโ€™re certainly not getting gouged like in Denver proper. For most, itโ€™s a manageable trade-off.

Whoโ€™s thriving? The tech sector is quietly booming, pulled in by the Boulder-Denver corridor. Software developers here make a median of $125,961โ€”adjusted for our lower costs, thatโ€™s effectively $130,394. Healthcare is the other anchor; Lovelandโ€™s hospitals and clinics keep nurses earning a solid $85,192 (adjusted). Youโ€™ll also find a healthy number of accountants and electricians doing well, thanks to a steady stream of small businesses and construction. The big local employers, like McKee Medical Center and a growing cluster of software firms, set the tone.

But hereโ€™s my honest take: this isnโ€™t a secret anymore. Wages are rising, but so are housing costs. That $1,497 rent is up about 5% from two years ago, while salaries havenโ€™t kept quite that pace for everyone. It works beautifully if youโ€™re in one of the top-paying fields or have a dual-income household. For someone starting out in a lower-wage job, itโ€™s getting tighter.

The numbers below will break down exactly what you can expect to earn in Lovelandโ€™s key jobs, and how far that money actually goes.

๐Ÿ† Top 5 Highest-Paying Jobs in Loveland

Ranked by raw salary. See COL-adjusted figures in the full table below.

๐Ÿฅ‡ -1% vs national

Software Developer

$125,961
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $130,394
โฑ Hourly $60.56/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -1% vs national

Accountant

$85,201
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $88,200
โฑ Hourly $40.96/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$85,192
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $88,190
โฑ Hourly $40.96/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,020
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,238
โฑ Hourly $30.30/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Electrician

$60,922
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $63,066
โฑ Hourly $29.29/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 40 Occupations in Loveland

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (97/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $125,961
2 Accountant $85,201
3 Registered Nurse $85,192
4 Elementary School Teacher $63,020
5 Electrician $60,922
6 Real Estate Agent $60,852
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,548
8 Welder $49,490
9 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,490
10 Nail Technician $49,490
11 Cosmetologist $49,490
12 Personal Trainer $49,490
13 Chef/Head Cook $49,490
14 Auto Mechanic $49,490
15 Social Worker $49,490
16 Veterinary Technician $49,490
17 Pharmacy Technician $49,490
18 Dental Assistant $49,490
19 Firefighter $49,490
20 Project Manager $49,490
21 Police Officer $49,490
22 Graphic Designer $49,490
23 Data Analyst $49,490
24 Plumber $49,490
25 Insurance Agent $49,490
26 Carpenter $49,490
27 Physical Therapist $49,490
28 Human Resources Specialist $49,490
29 Financial Analyst $49,490
30 Pharmacist $49,490
31 HVAC Technician $49,490
32 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,490
33 Loan Officer $49,490
34 Construction Manager $49,490
35 Web Developer $49,490
36 Dental Hygienist $49,490
37 Marketing Manager $49,490
38 Medical Assistant $49,490
39 Paralegal $49,490
40 Security Guard $35,771

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics. COL Index from C2ER/ACCRA.

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Loveland

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,497/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,871/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$475,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$77,160
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
37%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
97
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Loveland?

Use our Salary Reality Check to see if your specific income covers housing, taxes, and expenses in Loveland. Enter your salary and see exactly how far your money goes.

โ“ Loveland Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Loveland, CO?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Loveland is $53,828. This is below the median household income of $77,160, indicating a significant gap between average individual earnings and typical household income.

What jobs pay the most in Loveland?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Loveland is Software Developer at $125,961. This salary is more than double the city's average of $53,828, highlighting a strong premium for tech skills.

Is Loveland affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $125,961 is highly affordable in Loveland. With a Cost of Living Index of 96.6 (below the national average) and 1BR rent at $1,497/month, housing costs represent only about 14% of gross income, well below the standard 30% threshold.

How does Loveland's cost of living affect my paycheck?

โ–ผ
Loveland's Cost of Living Index of 96.6 means your paycheck goes about 3.4% further than the national average. For example, the $1,497 monthly rent for a 1BR apartment is manageable relative to the average salary of $53,828, though it would consume a larger portion of a lower income.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Loveland?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably in Loveland, a salary around $77,160 (the median household income) is a practical benchmark. This income level, combined with the COL index of 96.6 and average rent, allows for housing costs under 25% of income, leaving ample room for other expenses and savings.

๐Ÿ“ Editor's Verdict: Is Loveland Worth It?

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Loveland is a solid choice financially, especially if youโ€™re in tech. The average salary of $53,828 doesnโ€™t tell the whole storyโ€”Software Developers are pulling in a COL-adjusted $130,394, making them the clear winners here. Healthcare and trades folks can do okay, but youโ€™ll need to hustle to beat the rent and stay ahead of the cost of living.

For anyone thinking about moving here, my advice is simple: lock in a job before you move. The marketโ€™s competitive, and you donโ€™t want to end up settling for less just to make rent. Lovelandโ€™s got charm, but itโ€™s not a place to wing it. If youโ€™re in tech, youโ€™ll thrive. If not, budget carefully and know your worth before you pack your bags.

Explore Loveland Further