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Solar Photovoltaic Installers Salary in Colorado: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Solar Photovoltaic Installers 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
$49,730
Median annual (2025)
-2.2%
Real Purchasing Power
$48,611
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 Solar Photovoltaic Installers earning $49,730 in Colorado has the equivalent purchasing power of $48,611 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) $45,930 $44,897 $-1,032
25th Percentile (P25) $48,930 $47,829 $-1,100
Median (P50) $49,730 $48,611 $-1,118
75th Percentile (P75) $56,280 $55,014 $-1,265
90th Percentile (P90) $76,170 $74,457 $-1,712
Key Insight

Colorado's cost of living is close to the national average, so $49,730 keeps most of its value at $48,611 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 Solar Photovoltaic Installers 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, $49,730 nominal nets out to $48,612 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 Solar Photovoltaic Installers.

Bottom-Quartile COL-Adjusted Pay

#28 / 32

Colorado ranks #28 of 32 — bottom quartile for Solar Photovoltaic Installers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.

Best States for Solar Photovoltaic Installers (After Cost of Living)

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

$72,564
RPP 108.8
2. Nevada
$70,342
RPP 96.4
3. Ohio
$68,196
RPP 91.5
4. Iowa
$64,185
RPP 88.4
5. Hawaii
$63,510
RPP 110.8
6. Oregon
$62,213
RPP 106.6
7. Maine
$60,724
RPP 100.8
$58,864
RPP 101.3
$56,129
RPP 109.8
10. Kansas
$55,544
RPP 90.0

Colorado ranks #28 out of 32 states for Solar Photovoltaic Installers after cost-of-living adjustment.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Colorado after cost of living?

A Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Colorado earns a median salary of $49,730 per year. After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (RPP=102.3), the real purchasing power is $48,611 — 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 Solar Photovoltaic Installers in Colorado: $49,730 x (100 / 102.3) = $48,611. 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 Solar Photovoltaic Installers's nominal salary of $49,730 in Colorado has 2.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $48,611. However, Colorado may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.

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