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What does a Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary really buy you in Colorado?
Colorado is 2.3% pricier than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
Colorado's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 102.3, meaning prices are 2.3% higher the national average. A Structural Iron and Steel Workers earning $58,830 in Colorado has the equivalent purchasing power of $57,507 in an average-cost US state.
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) | $44,870 | $43,861 | $-1,008 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $50,460 | $49,325 | $-1,134 |
| Median (P50) | $58,830 | $57,507 | $-1,322 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $71,980 | $70,361 | $-1,618 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $83,150 | $81,280 | $-1,869 |
Colorado's cost of living is close to the national average, so $58,830 keeps most of its value at $57,507 in real terms. Location choice here is more about career opportunities than cost arbitrage.
With an RPP of 102.3, Colorado is within a few percent of the national cost-of-living baseline. Salary adjustment for Structural Iron and Steel Workers is therefore minor — what you earn is close to what you'd keep in real purchasing power.
After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living, $58,830 nominal nets out to $57,507 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 Structural Iron and Steel Workers.
Colorado ranks #39 of 50 — bottom quartile for Structural Iron and Steel Workers real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Structural Iron and Steel Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
Colorado ranks #39 out of 50 states for Structural Iron and Steel Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Structural Iron and Steel Workers take-home pay in Colorado after taxes →
A Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Colorado earns a median salary of $58,830 per year. After adjusting for Colorado's cost of living (RPP=102.3), the real purchasing power is $57,507 — a -2.2% difference.
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).
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.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Structural Iron and Steel Workers in Colorado: $58,830 x (100 / 102.3) = $57,507. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
Partially — a Structural Iron and Steel Workers's nominal salary of $58,830 in Colorado has 2.2% less purchasing power due to higher living costs. The real value is $57,507. However, Colorado may offer better career opportunities, networking, and industry access.
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