๐Ÿ’ฐ COL Index: 106 โ€” Near Avg Cost

Salaries in Westminster, CO

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

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

Avg. Salary
$54,454
across 39 roles
COL-Adjusted Avg
$51,615
real purchasing power
Top Paying Role
Software Developer
$129,359
1BR Rent
$1,635
median monthly

Hereโ€™s the thing about Westminster: you probably think itโ€™s just another Denver suburb, but itโ€™s got a secret. Itโ€™s quietly become one of Coloradoโ€™s most educated midsize cities, with nearly half its residents holding a bachelorโ€™s degree or higher. That brainpower is fueling a local economy thatโ€™s more than just a bedroom community.

Letโ€™s talk purchasing power. Westminsterโ€™s cost of living sits at 105.5โ€”about 5.5% above the national average. That might sound steep, but itโ€™s actually a relief compared to Denver proper. Your $92,101 median household income here stretches further than youโ€™d expect, especially when you see the median 1-bedroom rent is $1,635. Itโ€™s not cheap, but itโ€™s not the wallet-crusher you face in the city core. The adjusted average salary of $51,615 feels more realistic when youโ€™re not paying downtown premiums.

Whoโ€™s thriving here? The tech and professional services sectors are the obvious winners. Software developers are pulling in a median of $129,359, and even after cost-of-living adjustments, theyโ€™re clearing $122,615. But itโ€™s not all code. Westminster is home to major employers like Ball Aerospace, a huge chunk of the Front Rangeโ€™s tech and defense work. Accountants and engineers do well here, too. The cityโ€™s 3.4% unemployment rate tells you jobs are stable, but that number hides the real story: competition is fierce for those top-tier roles.

Hereโ€™s my honest take: wages arenโ€™t exploding, but theyโ€™re holding their ground. The average salary of $54,454 isnโ€™t dazzling, but with the unemployment rate so low, you have leverage if youโ€™ve got the right skills. For families, teachers and electricians earn a solid middle-class living hereโ€”$64,720 for a teacher is nothing to scoff at in this market. The catch? That 105.5 index is creeping up faster than paychecks in some sectors.

The data below breaks it down by role, showing you exactly where your career path might fit in this carefully balanced economy.

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

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

๐Ÿฅ‡ +2% vs national

Software Developer

$129,359
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $122,615
โฑ Hourly $62.19/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +17.0%
๐Ÿฅˆ +2% vs national

Accountant

$87,500
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $82,938
โฑ Hourly $42.07/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
๐Ÿฅ‰ +2% vs national

Elementary School Teacher

$64,720
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $61,346
โฑ Hourly $31.12/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
4๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Electrician

$62,565
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,303
โฑ Hourly $30.08/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%
5๏ธโƒฃ +2% vs national

Real Estate Agent

$62,494
๐Ÿ’ก COL-Adjusted $59,236
โฑ Hourly $30.05/hr
๐Ÿ“ˆ Job Growth +3.0%

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

COL-Adjusted Salary = Raw salary divided by the cost of living index (106/100). Higher = more real purchasing power. This city's COL is above the US average.

# Occupation โ†• Raw Salary โ†•
1 Software Developer $129,359
2 Accountant $87,500
3 Elementary School Teacher $64,720
4 Electrician $62,565
5 Real Estate Agent $62,494
6 Heavy Truck Driver $53,965
7 Data Analyst $50,825
8 Plumber $50,825
9 Carpenter $50,825
10 Paralegal $50,825
11 Physical Therapist $50,825
12 Human Resources Specialist $50,825
13 Financial Analyst $50,825
14 HVAC Technician $50,825
15 Pharmacist $50,825
16 Welder $50,825
17 Nail Technician $50,825
18 Cosmetologist $50,825
19 Personal Trainer $50,825
20 Chef/Head Cook $50,825
21 Auto Mechanic $50,825
22 Construction Manager $50,825
23 Veterinary Technician $50,825
24 Firefighter $50,825
25 Social Worker $50,825
26 Pharmacy Technician $50,825
27 Dental Assistant $50,825
28 Dental Hygienist $50,825
29 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $50,825
30 Marketing Manager $50,825
31 Web Developer $50,825
32 Medical Assistant $50,825
33 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $50,825
34 Loan Officer $50,825
35 Insurance Agent $50,825
36 Project Manager $50,825
37 Graphic Designer $50,825
38 Police Officer $50,825
39 Security Guard $36,736

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

๐Ÿ™๏ธ Living Costs in Westminster

๐Ÿ 
1BR Rent
$1,635/mo
๐Ÿก
2BR Rent
$2,043/mo
๐Ÿ˜๏ธ
Median Home
$514,500
๐Ÿ“‰
Unemployment
3.4%
๐Ÿ’ณ
Median Income
$92,101
๐ŸŽ“
College Educated
47%
๐Ÿšถ
Walk Score
45/100
๐Ÿ“Š
Cost of Living
106
Near Avg Cost

๐Ÿงฎ Can You Afford to Live in Westminster?

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

โ“ Westminster Salary FAQ

What is the average salary in Westminster, CO?

โ–ผ
The average salary across 40 occupations in Westminster is $54,454. This is 5.5% above the national average due to a COL index of 105.5. Insight: The median household income is $92,101, indicating many households earn above the average salary.

What jobs pay the most in Westminster?

โ–ผ
The highest paying role is Software Developer at $129,359. Other top-paying jobs are not specified in the provided data. Insight: This salary is 2.4 times the average salary of $54,454, highlighting a significant wage premium for tech roles.

Is Westminster affordable on a Software Developer salary?

โ–ผ
Yes, a Software Developer salary of $129,359 is well above the average salary of $54,454 and median household income of $92,101. With a 1BR rent of $1,635/month, housing costs are manageable. Insight: The COL index of 105.5 means expenses are slightly elevated, but the high salary offsets this for affordability.

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

โ–ผ
Westminster's COL index of 105.5 indicates expenses are 5.5% higher than the national average, reducing purchasing power. For example, 1BR rent at $1,635/month requires about 36% of the average salary of $54,454. Insight: Higher COL erodes take-home pay unless income exceeds the average, such as in high-paying roles like Software Developer.

What salary do you need to live comfortably in Westminster?

โ–ผ
To live comfortably, aim for a salary above the median household income of $92,101, given the COL index of 105.5 and 1BR rent of $1,635/month. This covers housing (about 21% of income) and other costs while allowing savings. Insight: The average salary of $54,454 may not suffice for comfort, as it leaves less room for discretionary spending due to the elevated cost of living.

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

Hereโ€™s my honest verdict: Westminster isnโ€™t a goldmine unless youโ€™re in tech. The average salary ($54,454) barely keeps up with the cost of living (index 105.5; $1,635 rent), so youโ€™ll feel squeezed if you arenโ€™t earning near the top tiers. Software Developers win bigโ€”both raw ($129,359) and COL-adjusted ($122,615)โ€”making tech the clear sweet spot. Healthcare and trades can do fine if you specialize and climb quickly, but the margin for error is thinner.

If youโ€™re considering the move, donโ€™t come without a job offer that beats the local average by at least 15%. Westminster rewards specialization, not generalists. If youโ€™re in tech, itโ€™s worth it; if youโ€™re not, make sure you have a clear path to the top tiers before you pack your boxes.

Explore Westminster Further