Pueblo Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Pueblo, CO: $23.08/hr median hourly wage, $48,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 88, and $14.81/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Colorado taxes.
Pueblo Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Pueblo, CO is $23.08/hr, equivalent to $48,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $14.31/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $32.77/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.81/hr.
Median Salary
$48,000
$23.08/hr
Cost of Living
88
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.81
per hour
Unemployment
4.5%
rate
Pueblo, CO Overview
Population
111,876
Median Salary
$48,000
Average Salary
$53,500
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
8.36%
Pueblo is located in Colorado with a population of 111,876. The median household salary is $48,000 per year ($23.08/hour), which is $11,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Pueblo Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Pueblo, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $48,000 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 | $29,760 | $14.31/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $48,000 | $23.08/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $68,160 | $32.77/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $85,440 | $41.08/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.
Pueblo Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Pueblo, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$38,636
$3,219.67/month · $1,486.00/biweekly · Effective Rate: 19.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,486.00 take-home per paycheck after estimated Colorado and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$48,000
Federal Tax
-$3,580
State Tax
-$2,112
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,672
Net Pay
$38,636
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,000.00 | $48,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$298.33 | -$3,580.00 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$176.00 | -$2,112.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$248.00 | -$2,976.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$58.00 | -$696.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,219.67 | $38,636.00 |
Salary Comparison: Pueblo vs Other Cities
See how Pueblo's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pueblo, CO | $48,000 | 88 | $54,545 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Decatur, AL | $48,000 | 84 | $57,143 |
| Springdale, AR | $48,000 | 86 | $55,814 |
| Pomona, CA | $48,000 | 115 | $41,739 |
| Waterbury, CT | $48,000 | 100 | $48,000 |
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 Pueblo
Pueblo's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100). Living in Pueblo is 12% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$230,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Annual Rent Cost
$12,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $38,636 annual take-home pay in Pueblo has the purchasing power of approximately $43,905 in an average-cost US area. Your $48,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Pueblo
Pueblo's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $48,000.
Salary Tips for Pueblo Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Pueblo has a cost of living 12% below the national average. A salary of $48,000 here has the purchasing power of about $54,545 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Pueblo's top industries include Steel, Healthcare, Education. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $48,000 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 Pueblo salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Pueblo-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 Pueblo indexed at 88.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Pueblo's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $48,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Colorado state income tax (4.4%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.36%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Pueblo: 4.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Steel, Healthcare, Education — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 0.8% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Colorado.
- Housing context: median home price $230,000, median rent $1,000/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Pueblo, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Pueblo unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Pueblo 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. Pueblo'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 hourly wage in Pueblo, CO?
The median hourly wage in Pueblo, CO is $23.08 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $48,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $14.31/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $32.77/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Pueblo, CO?
The median salary in Pueblo, CO is $48,000 per year, or $23.08 per hour. The average salary is $53,500. This is $11,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Pueblo, CO?
Pueblo's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $230,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,000.
What are the best industries in Pueblo?
The top industries in Pueblo, CO include Steel, Healthcare, Education. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 4.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $48,000.
How does Pueblo's salary compare to other cities?
Pueblo's median salary of $48,000 is 19.2% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88), the real purchasing power is approximately $54,545.
What is the minimum wage in Pueblo, CO?
The minimum wage in Pueblo, CO is $14.81 per hour. This equals approximately $30,805 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.56 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.