Software Engineer Salary in Colorado
Based on 12K+ workers in Colorado
Median Annual Salary (CO)
$139,580
$67.11/hr
vs National Average
$106,671
+30.9% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$76K – $171K
12K employed in Colorado
Software engineers in Colorado earn a median salary of $139,580 per year, significantly outpacing the national average by 31 percent. With approximately 11,800 software engineers employed across the state, Colorado has established itself as a competitive tech hub. Salaries in this field typically range from $76,140 to $170,800 annually, reflecting the variation in experience and specialization among professionals.
Several factors influence software engineer salary in Colorado, including years of experience, technical skills, and industry sector. Engineers working in high-growth areas like Denver and Boulder often command higher compensation than those in smaller markets. Company size, project complexity, and specific programming languages or frameworks also play significant roles in determining individual pay levels within the state's tech industry.
Salary Distribution — Software Engineer in Colorado
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $76,140 |
| 25th percentile | $100,150 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $139,580 |
| 75th percentile | $160,520 |
| 90th percentile | $170,800 |
Top H-1B Employers for Software Engineer in Colorado
Companies that filed the most H-1B (LCA) applications for this role in Colorado — ranked by application count.
| # | Employer | Applications | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DISH Network LLC | 6 | $96,250 |
| 2 | Charter Communications, Inc. | 5 | $97,157 |
| 3 | Deloitte Consulting LLP | 5 | $96,117 |
| 4 | Dish Wireless LLC | 5 | $116,126 |
| 5 | TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES LIMITED | 4 | $96,117 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026.
Software Engineer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in Colorado
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in Colorado.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level | $76,200 | 11 |
| Level II | Qualified | $96,250 | 59 |
| Level III | Experienced | $116,126 | 22 |
| Level IV | Senior / Expert | $136,115 | 12 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Engineers in Colorado tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $131,760 | 27K |
| Information | $131,720 | 48K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,070 | 25K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $124,530 | 98K |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $121,310 | 124K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Engineer in Colorado vs National
| Year | Median Salary (Colorado) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,420 |
| 2023 | $116,380 |
| 2024 | $119,560 |
| 2025 | $139,580 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,955 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | Colorado Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $114,420 | $89,712 |
| 2023 | $116,380 | $97,924 |
| 2024 | $119,560 | $101,746 |
| 2025 | $139,580 | $106,671 |
| 2026 (projected) | $147,955 | $113,071 |
Software Engineer Salary by Experience Level in Colorado
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $100,150 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $139,580 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $160,520 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $170,800 |
Software Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Software Engineer Salaries in Colorado
How other high-demand occupations in Colorado compare to Software Engineer ($139,580 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in CO | $199,420 | +42.9% | $95.88/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in CO | $156,080 | +11.8% | $75.04/hr |
| Database Administrator in CO | $154,560 | +10.7% | $74.31/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in CO | $139,230 | -0.3% | $66.94/hr |
| Software Developer in CO | $138,390 | -0.9% | $66.53/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in CO | $135,220 | -3.1% | $65.01/hr |
| Computer and Information Research Scientist in CO | $133,160 | -4.6% | $64.02/hr |
| Operations Research Analyst in CO | $129,880 | -6.9% | $62.44/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in CO | $127,750 | -8.5% | $61.42/hr |
| Data Scientist in CO | $117,400 | -15.9% | $56.44/hr |
| Statistician in CO | $109,660 | -21.4% | $52.72/hr |
| Computer Programmer in CO | $104,610 | -25.1% | $50.29/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do software engineers make in Colorado?
- Software engineers in Colorado earn a median salary of $139,580 per year, or approximately $67 per hour. This is significantly higher than the national average, representing a 30.9% premium for working in the state.
What is the salary range for software engineers in Colorado?
- Software engineer salaries in Colorado range from $76,140 at the lower end to $170,800 at the higher end. This wide range reflects differences in experience level, specialization, and company size across the state's 11,800 employed software engineers.
Is Colorado a good state for software engineer salaries?
- Yes, Colorado offers competitive software engineer salaries that exceed the national average by 30.9%, with a median of $139,580 annually. With over 11,800 software engineers employed in the state, there's a robust job market supporting these higher wages.
Which pays more, software engineering in Colorado or the national average?
- Software engineers in Colorado are paid significantly more than the national average, earning 30.9% above the typical U.S. salary. Colorado's median of $139,580 per year substantially outpaces what most software engineers earn across the country.