Overview Salaries

Salaries in Boulder, CO

Updated on Oct 10, 2026
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Salary

What is the average salary in Boulder, CO?

The average salary in Boulder, CO is $80,583 per year.
Yearly
Monthly
Weekly
Hourly
Graph depicting the yearly salary distribution for Boulder, CO, showing an average salary of $80,583 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the monthly salary distribution for Boulder, CO, showing an average salary of $6,715 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the weekly salary distribution for Boulder, CO, showing an average salary of $1,550 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.
Graph depicting the hourly salary distribution for Boulder, CO, showing an average salary of $39 with varying distribution percentages across salary ranges.

Salaries in Boulder, CO, offer a promising landscape for job seekers. With an average yearly salary of $80,583, the region provides competitive pay across various sectors. This figure represents the median earnings, with many positions offering significantly higher salaries.

The salary distribution in Boulder is varied. Around 33.95% of workers earn around $33,640. At the other end, about 1.16% earn $223,500 or more. Other notable figures include 16.26% earning around $50,900, 11.84% earning about $68,160, and 8.77% earning approximately $85,420. These figures show a diverse earning potential, with opportunities for growth and advancement in many fields.

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What are the best paying jobs in Boulder, CO?

Boulder, Colorado offers some of the best-paying jobs in the nation, especially in technology and healthcare. High-paying roles include General Dentist, Technical Programs Manager, and Solution Architect. These positions command strong salaries due to the area's strong economy and demand for skilled professionals. In Boulder, other top-paying jobs include Architect, Product Manager, and Principal Engineer. These roles attract high earnings because of their specialized skills and the area's tech-driven market. Pharmacist, Systems Engineer, and DevOps Engineer also provide competitive compensation, highlighting the diverse opportunities in this thriving community.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Boulder, CO, highlighting General Dentist with the highest at $304,224 and DevOps Engineer with the lowest at $137,045.

  1. General Dentist
    Average Salary: $304,224
    This role involves providing dental care to patients. Services include cleanings, fillings, and more. Leading dental practices in Boulder offer state-of-the-art equipment. Patients value high-quality care and personalized service.
    Find General Dentist jobs in Boulder, CO


  2. Technical Programs Manager
    Average Salary: $196,403
    Manage technical programs and teams. This involves planning, execution, and monitoring. Tech companies in Boulder focus on innovation and teamwork. Success comes from aligning technical goals with business needs.
    Find Technical Programs Manager jobs in Boulder, CO


  3. Solution Architect
    Average Salary: $193,473
    Design and build software solutions. This role needs to understand client needs and technology. Local firms value creative and technical expertise. Architects often work on exciting projects that drive business success.
    Find Solution Architect jobs in Boulder, CO


  4. Architect
    Average Salary: $187,846
    Design buildings and spaces. This creative role blends art and science. Boulder’s architecture firms look for innovative thinkers. They focus on sustainable and modern design solutions.
    Find Architect jobs in Boulder, CO


  5. Product Manager
    Average Salary: $168,752
    Lead product development from idea to launch. This role involves market research and team collaboration. Companies in Boulder value strategic vision and customer focus. Product managers often work on cutting-edge projects.
    Find Product Manager jobs in Boulder, CO


  6. Principal Engineer
    Average Salary: $167,542
    Oversee engineering projects and teams. This involves technical leadership and problem-solving. Tech companies in Boulder seek experienced engineers. They focus on innovation and quality in their projects.
    Find Principal Engineer jobs in Boulder, CO


  7. Software Engineer
    Average Salary: $160,928
    Develop and maintain software applications. This role requires coding and testing. Tech firms in Boulder look for skilled engineers. They often work on exciting and impactful projects.
    Find Software Engineer jobs in Boulder, CO


  8. Pharmacist
    Average Salary: $141,461
    Provide medication and health advice to patients. This role involves dispensing prescriptions and counseling. Pharmacies in Boulder value patient care and knowledge. Pharmacists play a vital role in community health.
    Find Pharmacist jobs in Boulder, CO


  9. Systems Engineer
    Average Salary: $140,740
    Design and manage IT systems. This role involves integration and optimization. Companies in Boulder seek skilled systems engineers. They focus on creating reliable and efficient IT solutions.
    Find Systems Engineer jobs in Boulder, CO


  10. DevOps Engineer
    Average Salary: $137,045
    Develop and manage software deployment. This role involves automation and collaboration. Tech firms in Boulder value automation and efficiency. DevOps engineers work on critical projects to streamline operations.
    Find DevOps Engineer jobs in Boulder, CO

What are the best paying jobs in Boulder, CO without a degree?

For job seekers in Boulder, Colorado, many top-paying roles do not require a college degree. Skilled workers can earn a good living in various fields. For instance, irrigation technicians can make around $63,491 a year. They manage and maintain irrigation systems for lawns and gardens. Other high-paying jobs include service team members and landscapers, both offering salaries over $50,000. Kitchen managers also earn well, with a salary close to $51,000. Seafood team members and groundskeepers can expect around $48,000 and $44,000, respectively. Housekeeping, line cooks, kitchen team members, and meat cutters also provide decent pay, ranging from about $40,000 to $43,000 annually. These jobs provide stable income and good career opportunities without needing a degree.
Graph displaying best paying job salaries in Boulder, CO without a degree, highlighting Irrigation Technician with the highest at $63,491 and Meat Cutter with the lowest at $40,433.

  1. Irrigation Technician
    Average Salary: $63,491
    Working as an irrigation technician involves designing, installing, and maintaining water systems. Companies like Greenscapes and XeriScapes seek skilled technicians for residential and commercial projects.
    Find Irrigation Technician jobs in Boulder, CO


  2. Service Team Member
    Average Salary: $59,362
    Service team members ensure customer satisfaction at local restaurants and cafes. They often work for popular spots like The Laughing Goat or Boulder Dushanbe Tea House, focusing on providing excellent service.
    Find Service Team Member jobs in Boulder, CO


  3. Landscaper
    Average Salary: $52,094
    Landscaping roles include maintaining and designing outdoor spaces. Companies such as GreenScapes and Boulder Landscape employ landscapers who work on both residential and commercial projects.
    Find Landscaper jobs in Boulder, CO


  4. Kitchen Manager
    Average Salary: $51,080
    Kitchen managers oversee daily operations in restaurants and cafes. They coordinate staff, manage inventory, and ensure food quality. Managers often work for well-known spots like The Laughing Goat and Café Gratitude.
    Find Kitchen Manager jobs in Boulder, CO


  5. Seafood Team Member
    Average Salary: $48,364
    Seafood team members prepare and serve seafood dishes. They work at places like The Laughing Goat, where they handle orders, clean, and ensure customer satisfaction.
    Find Seafood Team Member jobs in Boulder, CO


  6. Groundskeeper
    Average Salary: $43,809
    Groundskeepers maintain the appearance and safety of outdoor areas. They work for parks, schools, and private properties, ensuring grounds are well-kept and safe.
    Find Groundskeeper jobs in Boulder, CO


  7. Housekeeping
    Average Salary: $42,812
    Housekeeping staff clean and maintain the appearance of rooms in hotels and residential buildings. They work for establishments like the Boulder Marriott and other local accommodations.
    Find Housekeeping jobs in Boulder, CO


  8. Line Cook
    Average Salary: $42,018
    Line cooks prepare ingredients and cook food in commercial kitchens. They work in bustling restaurants, often following recipes and working under pressure to serve high-quality meals.
    Find Line Cook jobs in Boulder, CO


  9. Kitchen Team Member
    Average Salary: $40,586
    Kitchen team members assist in various kitchen tasks, from prep work to cooking. They work in local eateries, ensuring the smooth operation of the kitchen.
    Find Kitchen Team Member jobs in Boulder, CO


  10. Meat Cutter
    Average Salary: $40,433
    Meat cutters prepare and sell various cuts of meat. They work in grocery stores and specialty shops, ensuring customers receive the right cuts and advice.
    Find Meat Cutter jobs in Boulder, CO

Which companies offer the top salaries in Boulder, CO?

Job seekers in Boulder, CO, have many excellent opportunities for high-paying jobs. Leading companies like Boulder Dental Center, P.C, Workday, and Google offer competitive salaries. These companies provide rewarding career paths for those looking to advance. Boulder Dental Center, P.C. leads with an average salary of $198,241. Workday and Google follow closely, offering average salaries around $188,000 and $185,000. Other notable companies such as Amazon, Apple, and Northrop Grumman also provide high compensation packages. SciTec, Inc., Blue Canyon Technologies, Lockheed Martin, and Ascend Analytics round out the list of top-paying employers in Boulder. Each of these companies values their employees and offers attractive salary packages.
Graph displaying company salaries in Boulder, CO, highlighting BOULDER DENTAL CENTER, P.C with the highest at $198,241 and Ascend Analytics with the lowest at $126,623.

  1. BOULDER DENTAL CENTER, P.C
    Average Salary: $198,241
    Boulder Dental Center, P.C. is a leading dental practice offering a range of services, from routine care to complex procedures. They value skilled professionals and offer competitive salaries.


  2. Workday
    Average Salary: $188,346
    Workday provides enterprise cloud applications for finance and human resources. They focus on innovative solutions and rewarding employees with attractive compensation.


  3. Google
    Average Salary: $185,208
    Google is a tech giant known for its innovative products and services. They offer many opportunities for professionals and provide high salaries to attract top talent.


  4. Amazon
    Average Salary: $183,585
    Amazon is a leading e-commerce company offering a variety of products and services. They value hard work and dedication, offering competitive salaries to their employees.


  5. Apple
    Average Salary: $182,812
    Apple is a tech company known for its cutting-edge products. They focus on innovation and provide attractive salaries to their employees.


  6. Northrop Grumman
    Average Salary: $143,582
    Northrop Grumman is a global aerospace and defense technology company. They offer many opportunities in engineering and technology and provide competitive salaries.


  7. SciTec, Inc.
    Average Salary: $136,378
    SciTec, Inc. provides software and services to the government and private sector. They value skilled professionals and offer good compensation.


  8. Blue Canyon Technologies
    Average Salary: $131,454
    Blue Canyon Technologies is a small satellite manufacturing company. They focus on innovation and offer good salaries to their employees.


  9. Lockheed Martin
    Average Salary: $130,849
    Lockheed Martin is a global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technologies company. They offer many opportunities in various fields and provide competitive salaries.


  10. Ascend Analytics
    Average Salary: $126,623
    Ascend Analytics is a data analytics company. They focus on providing valuable insights to their clients and offer good compensation to their employees.

How does the cost of living in Boulder, CO compare to the national average?

Boulder, CO, shows a higher cost of living compared to the nationwide average, which is set at 100. Housing costs in Boulder stand at 140, indicating they are 40% higher than the average. Groceries, utilities, transportation, healthcare, and miscellaneous expenses also exceed the average, with the highest being groceries at 120, which is 20% more than the national average. This data highlights the elevated living expenses that job seekers need to consider when relocating to Boulder.
Cost of living comparison graph for Boulder, CO vs. Nationwide: housing 40% higher, groceries 20% higher, utilities 10% higher, transportation 5% higher, healthcare 5% lower, miscellaneous 15% higher.

The cost of living in Boulder, CO, stands noticeably higher than the nationwide average, which is indexed at 100. Housing costs in Boulder are particularly elevated, with an index of 140. This means that housing expenses in Boulder are 40% higher than the national average. Job seekers considering Boulder should be aware that their housing budget may need to account for this substantial increase to maintain their desired lifestyle.


In addition to housing, other major expenses such as groceries and utilities also surpass the national average in Boulder. The grocery index sits at 120, indicating a 20% increase over the average cost. Similarly, utilities are 10% higher, with an index of 110. These higher costs make it important for individuals relocating to Boulder to plan their finances carefully. While Boulder offers a vibrant community and attractive job opportunities, understanding these cost differences can help in making informed financial decisions.

There are 1,435 job openings in Boulder, CO, today!

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