Colorado Salaries 2025
Premier tech hub with unmatched mountain lifestyle
Median Household Income
Colorado Salary Overview 2025
Colorado has established itself as one of America's premier destinations for high-earning professionals seeking work-life balance. The state's median household income of $80,200 ranks among the nation's highest, driven by a robust technology sector, aerospace industry, and the ability to attract top talent with mountain lifestyle appeal.
The Denver-Boulder corridor functions as a major tech hub, home to satellite offices of Bay Area companies, numerous startups, and aerospace giants. Colorado's flat 4.4% income tax, combined with relatively moderate cost of living, creates favorable economics compared to California. For comprehensive salary data, see salary trends 2025.
Colorado Salary Snapshot
| Metric | Colorado | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $80,200 | $74,580 |
| Mean Household Income | $106,000 | $97,300 |
| Per Capita Income | $42,800 | $37,638 |
| Minimum Wage (2025) | $14.42/hr | $7.25/hr (federal) |
| Cost of Living Index | 105 | 100 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% flat | Varies |
Salaries by Colorado Metro Area
Denver Metro – Economic Hub
Median Household Income: $82,000
Denver anchors Colorado's economy with tech, healthcare, finance, and energy. Google, Amazon, Apple maintain offices. Software engineers $100,000-$165,000, healthcare and finance salaries are competitive.
Boulder – Tech & Startup Haven
Median Household Income: $78,000
Google's large Boulder campus, CU research, and numerous startups. Software engineers $105,000-$170,000. Housing expensive ($750,000+ median) but lifestyle exceptional.
Colorado Springs – Military & Aerospace
Median Household Income: $72,000
Major military presence (Fort Carson, Space Force HQ) and defense contractors. Engineers $90,000-$145,000 with clearance premiums. Lower costs than Denver.
Fort Collins – Education & Quality of Life
Median Household Income: $70,000
Colorado State University, HP, brewing industry. Tech positions $80,000-$140,000. Consistently rated among nation's best places to live.
| Metro | Median Income | COL | Key Industries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | $82,000 | 107 | Tech, Healthcare, Finance |
| Boulder | $78,000 | 130 | Tech, Research, Startups |
| Colorado Springs | $72,000 | 98 | Military, Aerospace |
| Fort Collins | $70,000 | 108 | Education, Tech |
Top Paying Industries
Technology
Top-10 national tech hub. Google, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft offices plus startups. Software engineers $100,000-$175,000, product managers $110,000-$180,000.
Aerospace & Defense
Lockheed Martin Space, Ball Aerospace, United Launch Alliance. Engineers $95,000-$155,000. Space Force HQ in Colorado Springs.
Healthcare
UCHealth, SCL Health, Kaiser. Physicians $260,000-$450,000+, nurses $70,000-$95,000.
Outdoor Industry
VF Corporation HQ (The North Face). Marketing and product roles $60,000-$150,000.
| Industry | Entry | Mid-Career | Senior |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Engineering | $90,000 | $130,000 | $175,000+ |
| Aerospace/Defense | $80,000 | $115,000 | $155,000+ |
| Nursing (RN) | $65,000 | $80,000 | $95,000+ |
Colorado Tax Analysis
Flat 4.4% Income Tax
| Salary | CO Tax | CA Tax | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100,000 | $4,400 | $7,100 | $2,700 |
| $150,000 | $6,600 | $12,500 | $5,900 |
| $200,000 | $8,800 | $18,200 | $9,400 |
Sales Tax: 2.9% state + local = 7-10% total
Property Tax: 0.51% average—below national average
Cost of Living Analysis
| Expense | Colorado | National |
|---|---|---|
| Housing Index | 118 | 100 |
| Median Home Price | $550,000 | $420,000 |
| Median Rent (2BR) | $1,750 | $1,400 |
| Groceries | 99 | 100 |
Housing by Area
| Area | Median Home | Rent (2BR) |
|---|---|---|
| Denver | $580,000 | $1,850 |
| Boulder | $850,000 | $2,200 |
| Colorado Springs | $420,000 | $1,500 |
| Fort Collins | $540,000 | $1,650 |
Highest Paying Jobs 2025
| Occupation | Average | Top 10% |
|---|---|---|
| Physicians/Surgeons | $300,000 | $450,000+ |
| Software Architects | $165,000 | $210,000+ |
| IT Directors | $155,000 | $200,000+ |
| Aerospace Engineers | $120,000 | $160,000+ |
| Financial Managers | $135,000 | $190,000+ |
| Pharmacists | $128,000 | $155,000+ |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colorado worth the cost?
For outdoor enthusiasts earning tech/professional salaries, absolutely. The lifestyle value—300 days of sunshine, world-class skiing, hiking, biking—is difficult to quantify but real. Housing has become expensive, but remains below Bay Area levels while offering comparable tech opportunities.
Denver vs. Boulder: which is better?
Denver offers more jobs, diverse neighborhoods, and urban amenities. Boulder is smaller, more expensive, but closer to mountains with stronger startup culture. Many tech workers live between the two (Broomfield, Louisville) for access to both.
How does Colorado compare to Texas for tech?
Texas has no income tax (vs. CO's 4.4%). Austin tech scene is larger. But Colorado offers superior outdoor recreation, milder summers, and mountain access. Texas wins on pure financials; Colorado wins on lifestyle. Both are legitimate alternatives to California.
Is Colorado good for remote workers?
Excellent. Strong internet infrastructure, numerous coworking spaces, time zone works for both coasts, and unmatched outdoor lifestyle. Many remote workers maintain coastal salaries while enjoying mountain living. Consider Colorado Springs or Fort Collins for better value than Denver/Boulder.