Salary & Cost of Living in Wheat Ridge, CO
Wheat Ridge, CO: $54,546 median salary, cost of living index 102.4, $14.42/hr minimum wage. Calculate your take-home pay with our free paycheck calculator.
Median Salary
$54,546
$26/hr
Cost of Living
102.4
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.42
per hour
Unemployment
2.7%
rate
Wheat Ridge, CO Overview
Population
31,889
Median Salary
$54,546
Average Salary
$61,092
Avg Commute
20 min
Median Home Price
$532,000
Median Rent
$2,144/mo
Job Growth
+2.2%
Sales Tax
2.9%
Wheat Ridge is located in Colorado with a population of 31,889. The median household salary is $54,546 per year ($26/hour), which is $4,838 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 20 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.2%.
Wheat Ridge Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Wheat Ridge, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $54,546 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 | $33,819 | $16.26/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $54,546 | $26.22/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $77,455 | $37.23/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $97,092 | $46.67/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.
Wheat Ridge Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Wheat Ridge, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,466
$3,622.18/month · $1,671.78/biweekly · Effective Rate: 20.3%
Gross Pay
$54,546
Federal Tax
-$4,507
State Tax
-$2,400
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$4,173
Net Pay
$43,466
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,545.50 | $54,546.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$375.59 | -$4,507.02 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$200.00 | -$2,400.02 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$281.82 | -$3,381.85 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$65.91 | -$790.92 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,622.18 | $43,466.19 |
Salary Comparison: Wheat Ridge vs Other Cities
See how Wheat Ridge's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheat Ridge, CO | $54,546 | 102.4 | $53,268 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Bradenton, FL | $54,599 | 100.6 | $54,273 |
| Kyle, TX | $54,488 | 86.3 | $63,138 |
| Linton Hall, VA | $54,480 | 96.2 | $56,632 |
| Sun City, AZ | $54,472 | 102.9 | $52,937 |
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 Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge's cost of living index is 102.4 (national average = 100). Living in Wheat Ridge is 2.4000000000000057% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$532,000
Median Monthly Rent
$2,144
Annual Rent Cost
$25,728
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,466 annual take-home pay in Wheat Ridge has the purchasing power of approximately $42,447 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $55,855 in Wheat Ridge to match a $54,546 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Wheat Ridge
Wheat Ridge's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $54,546.
Salary Tips for Wheat Ridge Workers
- Research top industries. Wheat Ridge's top industries include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $54,546 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 Wheat Ridge salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Wheat Ridge-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 Wheat Ridge indexed at 102.4.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Wheat Ridge's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $54,546 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 Wheat Ridge: 2.7%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Aerospace, Energy — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Colorado.
- Housing context: median home price $532,000, median rent $2,144/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Wheat Ridge, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Wheat Ridge unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Wheat Ridge 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. Wheat Ridge'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
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The median salary in Wheat Ridge, CO is $54,546 per year, or $26 per hour. The average salary is $61,092. This is $4,838 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Wheat Ridge, CO?
Wheat Ridge's cost of living index is 102.4 (national average = 100), meaning it is 2.4000000000000057% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $532,000 and the median monthly rent is $2,144.
What are the best industries in Wheat Ridge?
The top industries in Wheat Ridge, CO include Technology, Aerospace, Energy. The city has a job growth rate of 2.2% and an unemployment rate of 2.7%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $54,546.
How does Wheat Ridge's salary compare to other cities?
Wheat Ridge's median salary of $54,546 is 8.1% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 102.4), the real purchasing power is approximately $53,268.
What is the minimum wage in Wheat Ridge, CO?
The minimum wage in Wheat Ridge, 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.