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

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Dermatologists 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
$398,810
Median annual (2025)
-2.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$389,843
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 Dermatologists earning $398,810 in Colorado has the equivalent purchasing power of $389,843 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) $153,340 $149,892 $-3,447
25th Percentile (P25) $273,320 $267,174 $-6,145
Median (P50) $398,810 $389,843 $-8,966
75th Percentile (P75) $414,260 $404,946 $-9,313
90th Percentile (P90) $501,410 $490,136 $-11,273
Key Insight

Colorado's cost of living is close to the national average, so $398,810 keeps most of its value at $389,843 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 Dermatologists 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, $398,810 nominal nets out to $389,844 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 Dermatologists.

Below-Median Adjusted Pay

#17 / 26

Colorado's rank of #17 of 26 states means real purchasing power for Dermatologists trails the national half-way line.

Best States for Dermatologists (After Cost of Living)

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

$640,522
RPP 97.7
$487,367
RPP 86.6
3. Iowa
$480,735
RPP 88.4
$479,767
RPP 107.6
$479,207
RPP 109.8
$477,475
RPP 92.3
$472,363
RPP 91.8
$451,142
RPP 98.0
9. Alabama
$449,373
RPP 87.8
10. Michigan
$444,229
RPP 93.4

Colorado ranks #17 out of 26 states for Dermatologists after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

A Dermatologists in Colorado earns a median salary of $398,810 per year. After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (RPP=102.3), the real purchasing power is $389,843 — 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 Dermatologists in Colorado: $398,810 x (100 / 102.3) = $389,843. 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 Dermatologists's nominal salary of $398,810 in Colorado has 2.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $389,843. However, Colorado may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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