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Software Engineer Salary in Denver, CO

How much does a software engineer make in Denver? Explore median, entry-level, and senior salaries adjusted for Denver's cost of living.

Median Salary
$134,120
per year in Denver
Entry Level
$84,230
Starting salary
Senior Level
$181,418
Experienced professionals
Cost of Living
129
29% above national avg

Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

See how software engineer salaries break down across different pay periods in Denver.

PeriodEntry LevelMedianSenior
Annual$84,230$134,120$181,418
Monthly$7,019$11,177$15,118
Biweekly$3,240$5,158$6,978
Weekly$1,620$2,579$3,489
Hourly$40$64$87

Denver vs National Average

How Denver's software engineer salaries compare to national figures.

Denver Salary
$134,120
COL Index: 129
National Average
$112,110
COL Index: 100
Difference
+$22,010
Higher in Denver

Cost of Living in Denver

1-Bedroom Rent
$1,850
per month
Median Income
$69,452
per year
Population
727,211
residents
Rent % of Income
32.0%
median household
Cost of Living Index: 129 — A score of 100 represents the U.S. average. Salaries in Denver have been adjusted to account for local cost differences.

About Software Engineer

Overview

Design, develop, and maintain software applications and systems.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or related field

Key Skills

JavaScriptPythonSystem DesignAlgorithms

Growth Rate

Expected job growth: +25% over the next decade

Compare Cities: Software Engineer Salary

See Software Engineer salaries in other top cities.

New York, NY
$161,970
+21%
Los Angeles, CA
$155,330
+16%
Chicago, IL
$130,030
-3%
Houston, TX
$127,940
-5%
Phoenix, AZ
$129,600
-3%

Explore Related Data for Denver & CO

Dig deeper into the numbers behind a software engineer salary in Denver — cost of living, take-home pay, affordability, taxes, and retirement projections all in one place.

Cost of living in Denver

Full breakdown of expenses, rent, and local purchasing power.

Take-home pay on $130,000 in CO

Federal tax, state tax, Social Security, and Medicare breakdown.

What you can afford on $120,000 in CO

Home price, rent, and monthly spending guidelines for this income.

Tax brackets on $130,000 in CO

See exactly which brackets your income falls into.

Software Engineer salary across all of CO

State-level salary data beyond just Denver.

$550,000 mortgage in CO

Monthly payment, property tax, and total interest for a typical home at this income.

Retirement at 30 earning $140,000

Projections, savings benchmarks, and how to stay on track.

Financial Tools to Explore

Use these Pulsafi calculators to understand your finances based on a software engineer salary in Denver.

Salary Breakdown Calculator

See exactly how your salary breaks down into taxes and take-home pay.

Cost of Living Calculator

Understand your expenses and purchasing power in Denver.

Budget Calculator

Create a personalized budget based on your income and expenses.

Rent vs Buy Calculator

Compare the true costs of renting versus buying in Denver.

Software Engineer Salary in Denver, CO — Complete Guide

Median Salary Overview

The median salary for a software engineer in Denver, CO is $134,120 per year, adjusted for the local cost of living index of 129. This figure reflects typical earnings for experienced professionals in this role, considering Denver's unique economic conditions.

Salary Range and Experience Levels

Entry-level software engineer professionals in Denver can expect to earn around $84,230 annually. As professionals gain experience, salaries typically increase, with senior-level software engineers earning approximately $181,418 per year. This represents a 115% increase from entry to senior level.

Cost of Living Adjustment

Denver's cost of living index of 129 significantly impacts salary comparisons. As a higher cost-of-living city, salaries in Denver are adjusted accordingly. This means that while the nominal salary may appear higher or lower than the national average of $112,110, the actual purchasing power must be considered in context.

Housing and Affordability

A significant portion of a software engineer's salary in Denver typically goes toward housing. With a 1-bedroom apartment averaging $1,850 per month, housing represents about 16.6% of median salary. Financial experts generally recommend keeping housing expenses below 30% of gross income.

Career Growth and Opportunities

Software Engineers are in growing demand across the United States, with an expected job growth of 25% over the next decade. In Denver, this translates to increasing opportunities and potential for salary growth as demand for experienced professionals continues to rise.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2024Metro-level wage data for this occupation and area
Data source: Salary data on this page are sourced from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program May 2024 estimates. Figures are approximate and intended for informational purposes only. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and local market conditions. This page does not constitute financial or career advice. For the most current wage data, visit bls.gov.