Plumber Salary

Fort Collins vs Westminster: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Fort Collins, CO and Westminster, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Collins, CO
$62,137
$29.87/hr
Westminster, CO
$63,331
$30.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, COWestminster, CO
Median Salary$62,137$63,331
Hourly Rate$29.87$30.45
Entry Level (P10)$46,206$44,989
25th Percentile$49,599$49,213
75th Percentile$78,377$81,064
Top Earner (P90)$95,672$98,163
Total Employed80019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($62,137) and Westminster ($63,331) plumber salaries.Fort CollinsWestminsterMedian Salary$62,137$63,331Entry Level (P10)$46,206$44,989Top Earner (P90)$95,672$98,163US Median $65,408

Verdict

Westminster, CO offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Collins.

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Westminster is $1,194 (1.92%). Westminster's median is -3.18% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Collins spans $49,466,Westminster spans $53,174. Westminster has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$46,206
P25$49,599
Median$62,137
P75$78,377
P90 (Top)$95,672
Westminster
P10 (Entry)$44,989
P25$49,213
Median$63,331
P75$81,064
P90 (Top)$98,163

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($61,444 effective) pays 1.87% more than Westminster ($60,315 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $62,137
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $61,444
Westminster
Nominal: $63,331
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $60,315

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,444)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Westminster if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,331/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($98,163)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Fort Collins grew 17.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -14.0% growth in Westminster over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+17.9%

$51,400 (2019) → $60,610 (2025)

Westminster, CO

+-14.0%

$71,800 (2024) → $61,774 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Fort Collins or Westminster?

Westminster has a higher median plumber salary at $63,331/year, compared to Fort Collins at $62,137/year — a difference of $1,194 (1.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Collins and Westminster?

Fort Collins plumbers earn $29.87/hr while Westminster hygienists earn $30.45/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Collins to Westminster as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Westminster. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $61,444, Westminster = $60,315), job availability (800 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Fort Collins vs Westminster?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $46,206 in Fort Collins and $44,989 in Westminster. The Fort Collins area offers higher starting salaries.

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov