๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 92 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Casper, WY

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

Updated: February 2026 ยท 39 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$68,584
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$74,710
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$153,742
1BR Rent
$893
median monthly

Hereโ€™s a secret about Casper that might surprise you: for a city of just under 59,000 people, it punches way above its weight in certain professional salaries. Weโ€™re talking six-figure paychecks for roles youโ€™d expect to find in Denver or Salt Lake City, all while dodging the brutal traffic and housing costs of those bigger metros.

The math here is pretty compelling. With a cost of living index at 91.8, your dollar buys about 8% more here than the national average. Take that median household income of $69,171. In a lot of places, thatโ€™s a tight squeeze. In Casper, it feels different. The median one-bedroom rent is just $893 a month. That low overhead means a software developer earning $124,129 isnโ€™t just getting by; theyโ€™re building real wealth. Itโ€™s a bargain, frankly, if you can land one of the top jobs.

So who actually lands those top-paying gigs? The economy here isnโ€™t just boom-and-bust energy anymore. Youโ€™ve got a solid healthcare backboneโ€”Casperโ€™s a regional hub for hospital systems. Thereโ€™s also a surprising amount of tech and project management work tied to both the energy sector and infrastructure. The construction managers and project managers pulling in six figures arenโ€™t just building houses; theyโ€™re managing complex logistics for a city thatโ€™s quietly growing. And the marketing managers making over $150,000? Theyโ€™re often working for companies that serve a massive, spread-out region.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Casper works financially if you have the right skills. The unemployment rate is a tight 3.2%, meaning employers are competing for talent. But the catch is the education gap. Only 30% of folks have a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher, which is below the national average. If you have that credential, youโ€™re in a much smaller, more competitive pool for those high-paying roles. Wages are keeping pace with costs, for now, but itโ€™s something to watch.

The data below will show you exactly where the money is and what your paycheck could look like after that cheap rent.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$153,742
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $167,475
โฑ Hourly $73.91/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 117
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,683
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $144,535
โฑ Hourly $63.79/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 117
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$124,129
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $135,217
โฑ Hourly $59.68/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 352
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,548
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $114,976
โฑ Hourly $50.74/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 117
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,788
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $107,612
โฑ Hourly $47.49/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 117

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 39 Occupations in Casper

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (92/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Marketing Manager $153,742
2 Pharmacist $132,683
3 Software Developer $124,129
4 Construction Manager $105,548
5 Project Manager $98,788
6 Physical Therapist $97,257
7 Financial Analyst $96,574
8 Web Developer $90,468
9 Dental Hygienist $85,376
10 Accountant $83,962
11 Registered Nurse $83,952
12 Data Analyst $81,309
13 Police Officer $73,067
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,985
15 Elementary School Teacher $62,103
16 Plumber $61,791
17 Paralegal $61,206
18 Electrician $60,035
19 Real Estate Agent $59,967
20 Graphic Designer $59,831
21 Firefighter $55,714
22 Carpenter $55,519
23 HVAC Technician $54,300
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,783
25 Nail Technician $48,770
26 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $48,770
27 Loan Officer $48,770
28 Insurance Agent $48,770
29 Dental Assistant $48,770
30 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $48,770
31 Veterinary Technician $48,770
32 Social Worker $48,770
33 Auto Mechanic $48,770
34 Personal Trainer $48,770
35 Cosmetologist $48,770
36 Pharmacy Technician $48,770
37 Chef/Head Cook $48,770
38 Welder $48,370
39 Medical Assistant $37,328

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Casper

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$893/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,070/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$265,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$69,171
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
30%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
92
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Casper?

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

โ“ Casper Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Casper, WY?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Casper is $68,584. This is slightly below the median household income of $69,171. Insight: The average salary provides a baseline for individual earnings but does not capture household income dynamics.

What jobs pay the most in Casper?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Casper is Marketing Manager at $153,742. This is more than double the average salary of $68,584. Insight: Specialized management roles often command premiums in smaller markets due to limited talent pools.

Is Casper affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
With a salary of $153,742, Casper is highly affordable given the COL index of 91.8 and 1BR rent of $893/month. Housing costs are low relative to income, leaving substantial disposable income. Insight: High earners in Casper experience greater purchasing power than in higher-cost areas.

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

โ–ผ
Casper's COL index of 91.8 means expenses are 8.2% below the national average, stretching each paycheck further. For example, 1BR rent at $893/month is manageable on the average salary of $68,584. Insight: Lower costs amplify the real value of your income compared to national benchmarks.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Casper?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living in Casper requires a salary that covers housing, utilities, and savings, with 1BR rent at $893/month. Based on median household income of $69,171, a salary around $70,000 is sufficient for most individuals. Insight: The COL index of 91.8 makes comfort achievable at modest income levels relative to national standards.

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

Hereโ€™s my honest take: Casper is a smart play if youโ€™re chasing purchasing power, not just a big headline salary. At a 91.8 COL index and $893 rent, the $68,584 average stretches; a Marketing Managerโ€™s $153,742 becomes $167,475 after adjustment, which is real money out here. Tech salaries donโ€™t pop like coastal markets, but healthcare and trades punch above their weightโ€”stable demand, lower costs, and pensions still exist. If youโ€™re remote in marketing or sales, you can arbitrage the gap nicely. For me, Casper is worth it financially if youโ€™re in healthcare, the skilled trades, or a remote role earning at least the median. Come for the math, stay for the mountains. One piece of advice: try a two-month furnished rental in town before buying; commutes and winters are easier when youโ€™re not guessing.

Explore Casper Further