- 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.
Coding Bootcamps: An Alternative Pathway
Coding bootcamps offer an accelerated pathway into tech careers. For those considering alternatives to traditional degrees, here's what you need to know about this intensive learning format.
What is a Coding Bootcamp?
A coding bootcamp is an intensive, short-term training program (typically 12-24 weeks) that teaches practical programming skills through hands-on projects. Unlike traditional degrees, bootcamps focus exclusively on job-ready skills and often include career services to help graduates land their first tech role.
Who Bootcamps Are Best For
- Career changers looking to enter tech quickly
- Professionals wanting to upskill or transition roles
- Self-taught developers seeking structured training
- Those unable to commit to a 4-year degree timeline
What People Love
Based on discussions from r/codingbootcamp, r/cscareerquestions, and r/learnprogramming
- Fast-track to employment—many graduates land jobs within 3-6 months
- Hands-on, project-based learning builds real portfolio pieces
- Career services and interview prep included in most programs
- Strong alumni networks for job referrals and mentorship
- Structured curriculum keeps you accountable and on track
Common Concerns
Honest feedback from bootcamp graduates and industry professionals
- Intense pace can be overwhelming—expect 60-80 hour weeks
- Some employers still prefer traditional CS degrees for certain roles
- Quality varies widely between programs—research carefully
- Job placement stats can be misleading—ask for CIRR audited reports
- May lack depth in computer science fundamentals like algorithms
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Programs for Tech careers:
- Software Engineering Career Track
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More Bootcamp Resources
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
Co-founder & Editor (B.S. Computer Science, Oregon State • B.A. Psychology, University of Washington)
Taylor combines technical expertise in computer science with a deep understanding of human behavior and learning. His dual background drives Hakia's mission: leveraging technology to build authoritative educational resources that help people make better decisions about their academic and career paths.