Salary & Cost of Living in Highlands Ranch, CO
Highlands Ranch, CO: $67,314 median salary, cost of living index 107.1, $14.42/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$67,314
$32/hr
Cost of Living
107.1
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.42
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Highlands Ranch, CO Overview
Population
105,000
Median Salary
$67,314
Average Salary
$75,392
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$574,000
Median Rent
$2,349/mo
Job Growth
+2%
Sales Tax
2.9%
Highlands Ranch is located in Colorado with a population of 105,000. The median household salary is $67,314 per year ($32/hour), which is $7,930 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2%.
Highlands Ranch Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Highlands Ranch, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $67,314 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $41,735 | $20.06/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $67,314 | $32.36/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $95,586 | $45.95/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $119,819 | $57.60/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Highlands Ranch Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Highlands Ranch, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$52,780
$4,398.30/month · $2,029.98/biweekly · Effective Rate: 21.6%
Gross Pay
$67,314
Federal Tax
-$6,423
State Tax
-$2,962
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$5,150
Net Pay
$52,780
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,609.50 | $67,314.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$535.26 | -$6,423.08 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$246.82 | -$2,961.82 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$347.79 | -$4,173.47 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$81.34 | -$976.05 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,398.30 | $52,779.58 |
Salary Comparison: Highlands Ranch vs Other Cities
See how Highlands Ranch's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highlands Ranch, CO | $67,314 | 107.1 | $62,852 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Parkville, MD | $67,308 | 103.8 | $64,844 |
| Plymouth, MA | $67,295 | 140.1 | $48,034 |
| West New York, NJ | $67,277 | 126.4 | $53,225 |
| Dale City, VA | $67,236 | 108.6 | $61,912 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch's cost of living index is 107.1 (national average = 100). Living in Highlands Ranch is 7.099999999999994% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$574,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,349
Annual Rent Cost
$28,188
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $52,780 annual take-home pay in Highlands Ranch has the purchasing power of approximately $49,281 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $72,093 in Highlands Ranch to match a $67,314 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Highlands Ranch
Highlands Ranch's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $67,314.
Salary Tips for Highlands Ranch Workers
- Research top industries. Highlands Ranch's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $67,314 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Highlands Ranch salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Highlands Ranch-CO metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Highlands Ranch indexed at 107.1.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Highlands Ranch's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $67,314 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Colorado state income tax (4.4%) (no local income tax), sales tax (2.9%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Highlands Ranch: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Energy — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Colorado.
- Housing context: median home price $574,000, median rent $2,349/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Highlands Ranch, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Highlands Ranch unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Highlands Ranch QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Colorado — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Highlands Ranch's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Colorado labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Highlands Ranch, CO?
The median salary in Highlands Ranch, CO is $67,314 per year, or $32 per hour. The average salary is $75,392. This is $7,930 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Highlands Ranch, CO?
Highlands Ranch's cost of living index is 107.1 (national average = 100), meaning it is 7.099999999999994% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $574,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,349.
What are the best industries in Highlands Ranch?
The top industries in Highlands Ranch, CO include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. The city has a job growth rate of 2% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $67,314.
How does Highlands Ranch's salary compare to other cities?
Highlands Ranch's median salary of $67,314 is 13.4% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 107.1), the real purchasing power is approximately $62,852.
What is the minimum wage in Highlands Ranch, CO?
The minimum wage in Highlands Ranch, CO is $14.42 per hour. This equals approximately $29,994 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.17 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.