๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 97 โ€” Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Sheridan, WY

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

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

Avg. Salary
$77,187
across 27 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$79,574
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Marketing Manager
$153,269
1BR Rent
$876
median monthly

You might think a town of 19,000 people in northern Wyoming would be a place to hide out, but the job market in Sheridan is surprisingly tight. The unemployment rate is just 3.2%, which means if youโ€™ve got the right skills, youโ€™re not just wantedโ€”youโ€™re needed. Itโ€™s a small town with an almost big-city hustle, especially for certain professions.

Letโ€™s talk about your wallet. The cost of living here sits at 97.0, just a hair below the national average. That sounds like a win, but hereโ€™s the kicker: the median household income is $61,598. While a one-bedroom apartment will only run you about $876 a month, that salary means youโ€™re probably not living large. Youโ€™re comfortable, sure, but youโ€™re not stacking cash. The real financial magic happens if you land one of the top-tier jobs. A software developerโ€™s $123,747 salary transforms into a powerful $127,574 when you adjust for the local cost of living. Thatโ€™s the Sheridan sweet spot.

So, whoโ€™s actually thriving here? The economy is anchored by sectors that need a physical presence: healthcare, education, and construction. Sheridan Memorial Hospital is the big employer, alongside a robust school district and a surprising number of small-to-mid-sized manufacturing and tech firms that have set up shop for the lifestyle and lower overhead. Itโ€™s not a corporate hub, but the community supports a solid professional class, especially if youโ€™re in project management or a skilled trade.

Hereโ€™s the honest catch: while the average salary across all roles is $77,187, that number is buoyed by those top earners. For many, wages have been slow to catch up with the creeping cost of living, especially in housing. This city works beautifully for remote workers bringing in a coastal salary, or for professionals in the handful of high-demand fields listed below. For everyone else, itโ€™s a trade-off: youโ€™re buying a certain quality of life, not a fat bank account.

The numbers below tell the real storyโ€”break them down, and youโ€™ll see exactly where you fit in.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ -3% vs national

Marketing Manager

$153,269
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $158,009
โฑ Hourly $73.69/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 38
๐Ÿฅˆ -3% vs national

Pharmacist

$132,275
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $136,366
โฑ Hourly $63.59/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth -3.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 38
๐Ÿฅ‰ -3% vs national

Software Developer

$123,747
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $127,574
โฑ Hourly $59.49/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 114
4๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Construction Manager

$105,223
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $108,477
โฑ Hourly $50.59/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +8.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 38
5๏ธโƒฃ -3% vs national

Project Manager

$98,484
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $101,530
โฑ Hourly $47.35/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +6.0%
๐Ÿ‘ฅ Jobs Here 38

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

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 Marketing Manager $153,269
2 Pharmacist $132,275
3 Software Developer $123,747
4 Construction Manager $105,223
5 Project Manager $98,484
6 Physical Therapist $96,958
7 Financial Analyst $96,277
8 Web Developer $90,190
9 Dental Hygienist $85,114
10 Accountant $83,704
11 Registered Nurse $83,694
12 Data Analyst $81,059
13 Police Officer $72,842
14 Human Resources Specialist $65,782
15 Elementary School Teacher $61,912
16 Plumber $61,601
17 Paralegal $61,018
18 Electrician $59,851
19 Real Estate Agent $59,783
20 Graphic Designer $59,647
21 Firefighter $55,543
22 Carpenter $55,349
23 HVAC Technician $54,133
24 Heavy Truck Driver $51,624
25 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $49,549
26 Welder $48,221
27 Medical Assistant $37,213

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Sheridan

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$876/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$1,145/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$327,000
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.2%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$61,598
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
35%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
35/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
97
Below Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Sheridan?

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

โ“ Sheridan Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Sheridan, WY?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Sheridan, WY is $77,187 (2026). This is 25% higher than the median household income of $61,598, indicating above-average earnings for employed individuals.

What jobs pay the most in Sheridan?

โ–ผ
Marketing Manager is the highest paying role at $153,269 in Sheridan, WY (2026). This salary is double the average across 40 occupations ($77,187), highlighting a significant premium for specialized management roles.

Is Sheridan affordable on a Marketing Manager salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Marketing Manager salary of $153,269 is highly affordable in Sheridan, WY (2026). With a COL index of 97.0 (3% below U.S. average) and 1BR rent at $876/month, housing costs consume only ~7% of pre-tax income, well below the recommended 30%.

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

โ–ผ
Sheridan's cost of living index of 97.0 means your paycheck goes 3% further than the U.S. average (2026). For example, 1BR rent at $876/month is 22% lower than the national median, freeing up more disposable income relative to your salary.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Sheridan?

โ–ผ
A comfortable salary in Sheridan, WY (2026) is approximately $61,598, matching the median household income. This covers basic needs with 30% of income for housing ($1,847/month at 30% of $61,598/12) given the 1BR rent of $876, leaving ample room for savings and discretionary spending.

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

Bottom line: Sheridan isnโ€™t a gold rush, but itโ€™s a solid value. With the COL index at 97.0 and rent at $876, your paycheck stretches further than in most cities. That said, the $77,187 average salary wonโ€™t make anyone rich, so the math favors remote workers or those landing one of the few top-tier rolesโ€”especially Marketing Manager, which hits $153,269 and $158,009 after COL adjustment.

Who wins here? Trades and healthcare pros, plus tech workers who can command big salaries while living cheap. If youโ€™re in marketing or sales and can swing a remote gig, youโ€™ll feel like a king.

My advice: lock down a job before you moveโ€”local openings are tight, and you donโ€™t want to gamble on rent and a pay cut. If the numbers line up, Sheridan is a smart, comfortable bet. If not, itโ€™s a pretty place to visit, not necessarily to bank on.

Explore Sheridan Further