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Archivists Salary in Colorado: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Archivists salary really buy you in Colorado?

Colorado is 2.3% pricier than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$59,210
Median annual (2025)
-2.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$57,878
COL-adjusted (RPP=102.3)

Colorado Cost of Living Index

Colorado's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.3, meaning prices are 2.3% higher the national average. A Archivists earning $59,210 in Colorado has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,878 in an average-cost US state.

CO: 102.3
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for Colorado's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $37,160 $36,324 $-835
25th Percentile (P25) $46,820 $45,767 $-1,052
Median (P50) $59,210 $57,878 $-1,331
75th Percentile (P75) $78,210 $76,451 $-1,758
90th Percentile (P90) $106,870 $104,467 $-2,402
Key Insight

Colorado's cost of living is close to the national average, so $59,210 keeps most of its value at $57,878 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

Colorado Sits Near the National Cost Benchmark

RPP 102.3

With an RPP of 102.3, Colorado is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Archivists is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.

Minor COL Adjustment for This Salary

-2.2%

After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living, $59,210 nominal nets out to $57,879 in real purchasing power — a small 2.2% loss. The state's cost profile is close enough to average that COL alone shouldn't drive location decisions for this Archivists.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#29 / 38

Colorado ranks #29 of 38 — bottom quartile for Archivists real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Archivists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Archivists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$79,794
RPP 116.6
$74,990
RPP 106.4
$73,533
RPP 104.7
$72,800
RPP 105.0
$71,462
RPP 109.4
$69,663
RPP 109.8
$68,643
RPP 107.6
$68,404
RPP 93.4
$67,621
RPP 86.6
10. Minnesota
$67,287
RPP 97.7

Colorado ranks #29 out of 38 states for Archivists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Archivists take-home pay in Colorado after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Archivists in Colorado after cost of living?

A Archivists in Colorado earns a median salary of $59,210 per year. After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (RPP=102.3), the real purchasing power is $57,878 — a -2.2% difference.

Is Colorado expensive to live in?

Colorado's cost of living is 2.3% higher than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for Colorado is 102.3 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Archivists in Colorado: $59,210 x (100 / 102.3) = $57,878. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Does the high cost of living in Colorado offset the salary?

Partially — a Archivists's nominal salary of $59,210 in Colorado has 2.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $57,878. However, Colorado may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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