- 1.Colorado tech salaries average 18% higher than the national median, with software engineers earning $95,000-$165,000 annually
- 2.Denver's tech hub offers the highest salaries in the state, with senior roles commanding $180,000+ at major companies
- 3.Data scientists in Colorado earn 22% more than the national average, with median salaries of $118,000
- 4.Tech talent shortage has driven 15% salary increases across all experience levels in the past two years
- 5.Boulder and Fort Collins offer competitive alternatives to Denver, with 8-12% lower salaries but better cost-adjusted compensation
Colorado vs National Tech Salaries
How Colorado tech compensation compares to national averages across major roles
Software Engineer - Colorado
Median Annual Salary
Software Engineer - National
Median Annual Salary
Data Scientist - Colorado
Median Annual Salary
Data Scientist - National
Median Annual Salary
Product Manager - Colorado
Median Annual Salary
Product Manager - National
Median Annual Salary
Source: Colorado Department of Labor
Colorado Tech Salaries
Driven by talent shortage and increased demand for tech skills
Salary by Experience Level - Software Engineers
| Experience Level | Colorado Average | National Average | Colorado Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $72,000 | $65,000 | +11% |
| Mid-Level (3-5 years) | $95,000 | $82,000 | +16% |
| Senior (6-10 years) | $125,000 | $105,000 | +19% |
| Staff/Principal (10+ years) | $165,000 | $140,000 | +18% |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor, BLS OES Survey
Salary by Company Type - All Tech Roles
| Company Type | Average Salary | Typical Range | Notable Companies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Big Tech | $155,000 | $125K - $220K | Google, Amazon, Microsoft |
| Unicorn Startups | $145,000 | $110K - $200K | Palantir, GitLab, Discord |
| Public Companies | $118,000 | $95K - $160K | Ball Corp, DaVita, Arrow |
| Growth Startups | $105,000 | $85K - $140K | Foundry, Ibotta, SendGrid |
| Traditional Enterprise | $95,000 | $75K - $125K | Lockheed Martin, Dish |
Source: Levels.fyi, Glassdoor
Geographic Salary Variations Within Colorado
| Metro Area | Avg Tech Salary | Cost of Living Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver Metro | $127,000 | 108 | $117,600 |
| Boulder | $115,000 | 115 | $100,000 |
| Fort Collins | $98,000 | 95 | $103,200 |
| Colorado Springs | $85,000 | 92 | $92,400 |
| Grand Junction | $78,000 | 88 | $88,600 |
Source: Colorado Department of Labor, BLS
Designs, develops, and maintains software applications and systems. Colorado's largest tech role category with strong demand across all industries.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Full Stack Developer
- • Backend Engineer
- • Frontend Developer
- • DevOps Engineer
Analyzes complex data to extract insights and build predictive models. High-growth field in Colorado's finance, healthcare, and energy sectors.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • ML Engineer
- • Data Analyst
- • Business Intelligence Developer
- • Research Scientist
Guides product strategy and development from conception to launch. Critical role in Colorado's growing startup ecosystem.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Technical Product Manager
- • Growth PM
- • Platform PM
- • Product Owner
Designs and manages cloud infrastructure and services. Rapidly growing field as Colorado companies adopt cloud-first strategies.
Key Skills
Common Jobs
- • Solutions Architect
- • Site Reliability Engineer
- • Cloud Architect
- • Platform Engineer
Source: Colorado Technology Association
Colorado Tech Employment
Significant job growth driven by company relocations and startup activity
Strategic Career Steps for Colorado Tech Professionals
Research Target Companies
Focus on Denver's major tech employers like Google, Amazon, and local unicorns. Use Levels.fyi and Glassdoor to understand compensation bands for your target role and experience level.
Develop In-Demand Skills
Python, cloud platforms (AWS/Azure), and data analysis skills command premium salaries. Consider Colorado-specific certifications and attend local tech meetups in Denver and Boulder.
Negotiate With Market Data
Use Colorado-specific salary data to negotiate offers. Factor in cost of living differences between Denver, Boulder, and other metro areas when evaluating opportunities.
Consider Remote-First Companies
Many Colorado tech companies offer remote work with local salary bands. This can provide access to higher Denver salaries while living in lower-cost areas like Fort Collins.
Build Local Networks
Join Colorado Technology Association, attend Denver Startup Week, and participate in Boulder's entrepreneurship ecosystem to access hidden job opportunities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Colorado tech salary analysis combines multiple authoritative data sources to provide comprehensive compensation insights for technology professionals across the state.
Related Career Resources
Data Sources & References
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for Colorado technology occupations, May 2024
Crowdsourced tech compensation data from 2,500+ Colorado tech professionals
Colorado tech salary reports and company compensation analysis
Annual salary survey and Colorado tech industry employment data
State employment statistics and workforce development data
Cost of living adjustments and regional wage analysis
Taylor Rupe
Full-Stack Developer (B.S. Computer Science, B.A. Psychology)
Taylor combines formal training in computer science with a background in human behavior to evaluate complex search, AI, and data-driven topics. His technical review ensures each article reflects current best practices in semantic search, AI systems, and web technology.