Thornton Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Thornton, CO: $29.57/hr median hourly wage, $61,506 median annual salary, cost of living index 102.5, and $14.42/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Colorado taxes.
Thornton Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Thornton, CO is $29.57/hr, equivalent to $61,506 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $18.33/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $41.99/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.42/hr.
Median Salary
$61,506
$29.57/hr
Cost of Living
102.5
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.42
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Thornton, CO Overview
Population
141,867
Median Salary
$61,506
Average Salary
$68,887
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Rent
$1,851/mo
Job Growth
+0.8%
Sales Tax
2.9%
Thornton is located in Colorado with a population of 141,867. The median household salary is $61,506 per year ($29.57/hour), which is $2,122 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +0.8%.
Thornton Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Thornton, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $61,506 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 | $38,134 | $18.33/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $61,506 | $29.57/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $87,339 | $41.99/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $109,481 | $52.63/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.
Thornton Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Thornton, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$48,894
$4,074.48/month · $1,880.53/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,880.53 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
$61,506
Federal Tax
-$5,201
State Tax
-$2,706
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,705
Net Pay
$48,894
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $5,125.50 | $61,506.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$433.39 | -$5,200.72 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$225.52 | -$2,706.26 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$317.78 | -$3,813.37 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$74.32 | -$891.84 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $4,074.48 | $48,893.81 |
Salary Comparison: Thornton vs Other Cities
See how Thornton's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thornton, CO | $61,506 | 102.5 | $60,006 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Centereach, NY | $61,523 | 121 | $50,845 |
| Aloha, OR | $61,485 | 111.7 | $55,045 |
| Richardson, TX | $61,462 | 101.5 | $60,554 |
| Clovis, CA | $61,459 | 108.5 | $56,644 |
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 Thornton
Thornton's cost of living index is 102.5 (national average = 100). Living in Thornton is 2.5% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$445,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,851
Annual Rent Cost
$22,212
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $48,894 annual take-home pay in Thornton has the purchasing power of approximately $47,701 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $63,044 in Thornton to match a $61,506 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Thornton
Thornton's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $61,506.
Salary Tips for Thornton Workers
- Research top industries. Thornton's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $61,506 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 Thornton salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Thornton-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 Thornton indexed at 102.5.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Thornton's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $61,506 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 Thornton: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Energy — 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 $445,000, median rent $1,851/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Thornton, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Thornton unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Thornton 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. Thornton'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 Thornton, CO?
The median hourly wage in Thornton, CO is $29.57 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $61,506 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $18.33/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $41.99/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Thornton, CO?
The median salary in Thornton, CO is $61,506 per year, or $29.57 per hour. The average salary is $68,887. This is $2,122 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Thornton, CO?
Thornton's cost of living index is 102.5 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2.5% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $445,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,851.
What are the best industries in Thornton?
The top industries in Thornton, CO include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. The city has a job growth rate of 0.8% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $61,506.
How does Thornton's salary compare to other cities?
Thornton's median salary of $61,506 is 3.6% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 102.5), the real purchasing power is approximately $60,006.
What is the minimum wage in Thornton, CO?
The minimum wage in Thornton, 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.