๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 97 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Riverton, WY

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

Updated: February 2026 ยท 27 occupations ยท BLS + Census data

Avg. Salary
$56,493
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$58,240
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$126,114
1BR Rent
$921
median monthly

You might think a town of 10,803 in Wyoming would be a place where remote tech workers cash in, but the numbers tell a different story. The most surprising job in Riverton isnโ€™t a software developer pulling in $126,000, but an accountant or a nurse making about $85,000. Thatโ€™s the real backbone of this local economy.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 97, Riverton is about 3% cheaper than the national average. That sounds like a win, but itโ€™s a modest one. The median household income sits at $56,280, while the average salary across all roles is just $56,493. Your paycheck goes a little further here, especially on a $921 one-bedroom rent, but donโ€™t expect to feel rich. The COL-adjusted average salary bumps up to $58,240, showing that while your dollars stretch, they donโ€™t magically multiply.

Who actually thrives here? Itโ€™s the professionals tied to the community itself. Central Wyoming College and Riverton Memorial Hospital are major employers, which explains the solid pay for teachers and nurses. The trades, like electricians, also do well at around $61,000, likely serving the surrounding agricultural and energy sectors. Iโ€™ll admit, I was a bit surprised that the software developer salary, while high, feels a bit isolated here; itโ€™s a great number, but itโ€™s not driving the local job market like the healthcare and education roles are.

Hereโ€™s the honest catch: wages are modest, and with an unemployment rate of 3.2%, the job market is tight but not booming. A family earning the median income will find life manageable, even comfortable, but donโ€™t move here expecting Silicon Valley salaries to fund a mountain retreat. This city works for steady, skilled professionals who value a lower cost of living over high-octane career growth.

The data below breaks down exactly who earns what, and what your salary might look like after adjusting for that cheaper cost of living.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -1% vs national

Software Developer

$126,114
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $130,014
โฑ Hourly $60.63/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ -1% vs national

Accountant

$85,305
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $87,943
โฑ Hourly $41.01/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ -1% vs national

Registered Nurse

$85,295
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $87,933
โฑ Hourly $41.01/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$63,096
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $65,047
โฑ Hourly $30.33/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ -1% vs national

Electrician

$60,996
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $62,882
โฑ Hourly $29.32/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

๐Ÿ“‹ Complete Salary Guide โ€” All 27 Occupations in Riverton

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (97/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is below the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $126,114
2 Accountant $85,305
3 Registered Nurse $85,295
4 Elementary School Teacher $63,096
5 Electrician $60,996
6 Real Estate Agent $60,926
7 Heavy Truck Driver $52,612
8 Dental Hygienist $49,549
9 Marketing Manager $49,549
10 Medical Assistant $49,549
11 Financial Analyst $49,549
12 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,549
13 Welder $49,549
14 Project Manager $49,549
15 Police Officer $49,549
16 Graphic Designer $49,549
17 Data Analyst $49,549
18 Plumber $49,549
19 Carpenter $49,549
20 Human Resources Specialist $49,549
21 Paralegal $49,549
22 Pharmacist $49,549
23 Physical Therapist $49,549
24 HVAC Technician $49,549
25 Construction Manager $49,549
26 Firefighter $49,549
27 Web Developer $49,549

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Riverton

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$921/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,151/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$192,450
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$56,280
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
22%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
97
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Riverton?

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

โ“ Riverton Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Riverton, WY?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Riverton is $56,493 (2026). This is slightly above the local median household income of $56,280. Insight: The average salary is 0.4% higher than the median, suggesting a relatively balanced income distribution.

What jobs pay the most in Riverton?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role in Riverton is Software Developer at $126,114 (2026). This is 123% above the average salary of $56,493. Insight: Tech roles command a significant premium, likely due to remote work opportunities and specialized skills.

Is Riverton affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $126,114 is highly affordable in Riverton. With a Cost of Living Index of 97.0 (3% below the U.S. average) and a 1BR rent of $921/month, housing costs are manageable. Insight: The high salary relative to local costs allows for substantial savings or discretionary spending.

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

โ–ผ
Riverton's Cost of Living Index of 97.0 means your paycheck goes 3% further than the national average. For example, a $56,493 salary here has the purchasing power of about $58,240 nationally. Insight: Lower costs, especially in housing ($921/mo for 1BR), stretch your income further than in higher-cost areas.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Riverton?

โ–ผ
A comfortable living salary in Riverton is approximately $56,493, matching the local average. This covers needs given the 97.0 COL index and $921/month rent for a 1BR. Insight: For a more luxurious lifestyle or to save aggressively, targeting the high-paying Software Developer role ($126,114) provides a significant buffer.

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

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Riverton isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s a steady bet if you value breathing room over buzz. With a cost-of-living index of 97 and rent at $921, your paycheck stretches further than in most cities. The $56,493 average salary wonโ€™t make you rich, but software developers are cleaning upโ€”$126k base, and a COL-adjusted $130k feels even stronger here. Tech workers win big, healthcare pros find stability, and tradespeople still command solid wages thanks to the regionโ€™s infrastructure and energy needs. If youโ€™re remote-friendly or in tech, youโ€™ll thrive. If youโ€™re chasing six-figure exits or nightlife, look elsewhere. My advice? Visit in February before you commit. If the quiet and cold donโ€™t scare you, Rivertonโ€™s math works.

Explore Riverton Further