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Average salary by job family in Boulder
| Management | $182,750 |
|---|---|
| Computer and Mathematical | $145,970 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $126,890 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $125,180 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $114,500 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $108,220 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $83,240 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $77,390 |
| Sales and Related | $74,170 |
| Community and Social Service | $70,850 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $69,390 |
| Protective Service | $67,860 |
| Construction and Extraction | $66,810 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $60,150 |
| Production | $57,920 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $56,240 |
| Healthcare Support | $50,980 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $50,140 |
| Personal Care and Service | $50,090 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $47,840 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $45,260 |
Highest-paying jobs in Boulder
- Surgeons, All Other$396,510
- Physicians, All Other$369,410
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$317,330
- Family Medicine Physicians$272,150
- Chief Executives$263,880
- Financial Managers$220,460
- Sales Managers$218,310
- Natural Sciences Managers$214,660
- Marketing Managers$210,910
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$210,300
Most common jobs in Boulder and what they pay
| Job | Jobs | Average salary | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | 7,130 | $166,480 | $164,560 |
| Retail Salespersons | 4,880 | $42,170 | $38,700 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 4,880 | $37,740 | $36,190 |
| Business Operations Specialists, All Other | 3,610 | $104,540 | $94,040 |
| Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel | 3,230 | $109,180 | $99,990 |
| Registered Nurses | 3,140 | $105,650 | $103,290 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | 3,130 | $105,070 | $97,600 |
| Cashiers | 3,100 | $40,360 | $38,520 |
| Project Management Specialists | 2,920 | $126,960 | $122,040 |
| General and Operations Managers | 2,750 | $180,640 | $152,100 |
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Cost of living in Boulder
Prices in the Boulder area are 5% above the U.S. average, with a BEA price parity of 105.2 for 2024. The average local salary of $91,760 therefore buys what $87,223 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. A typical home is worth $727,954, 7.1 times the median household income of $102,772.
$727,954typical home value
$102,772median household income
105.2BEA price parity
328,317metro population
Take-home pay in Boulder
| Salary level | Gross | After tax | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25th percentile wage | $46,860 | $38,478 | $3,207 |
| Median wage | $69,580 | $55,426 | $4,619 |
| Average wage | $91,760 | $70,054 | $5,838 |
| 75th percentile wage | $110,430 | $82,367 | $6,864 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
Salaries for every job in Boulder
Management28 jobs
- Chief Executives$264K
- Financial Managers$220K
- Sales Managers$218K
- Natural Sciences Managers$215K
- Marketing Managers$211K
- Computer and Information Systems Managers$210K
- Architectural and Engineering Managers$206K
- Human Resources Managers$193K
- Managers, All Other$192K
- General and Operations Managers$181K
- Purchasing Managers$178K
- Training and Development Managers$176K
- Industrial Production Managers$166K
- Medical and Health Services Managers$161K
- Public Relations Managers$160K
- Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers$147K
- Education Administrators, Postsecondary$146K
- Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary$144K
- Facilities Managers$139K
- Fundraising Managers$136K
- Construction Managers$136K
- Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers$124K
- Social and Community Service Managers$112K
- Lodging Managers$107K
- Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling$102K
- Food Service Managers$91K
- Education Administrators, All Other$83K
- Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare$74K
Computer and Mathematical16 jobs
- Computer and Information Research Scientists$178K
- Software Developers$166K
- Computer Network Architects$160K
- Information Security Analysts$155K
- Database Architects$154K
- Computer Occupations, All Other$147K
- Data Scientists$147K
- Web and Digital Interface Designers$144K
- Statisticians$140K
- Computer Programmers$140K
- Computer Systems Analysts$139K
- Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$136K
- Network and Computer Systems Administrators$120K
- Database Administrators$111K
- Computer Network Support Specialists$89K
- Computer User Support Specialists$78K
Architecture and Engineering27 jobs
- Aerospace Engineers$166K
- Computer Hardware Engineers$162K
- Engineers, All Other$146K
- Materials Engineers$143K
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer$142K
- Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers$137K
- Electrical Engineers$135K
- Mechanical Engineers$132K
- Chemical Engineers$127K
- Industrial Engineers$121K
- Architects, Except Landscape and Naval$113K
- Mechanical Drafters$110K
- Environmental Engineers$109K
- Cartographers and Photogrammetrists$102K
- Electrical and Electronics Drafters$101K
- Landscape Architects$93K
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians$93K
- Surveyors$85K
- Engineering Technologists and Technicians, Except Drafters, All Other$78K
- Calibration Technologists and Technicians$77K
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians$77K
- Architectural and Civil Drafters$77K
- Drafters, All Other$77K
- Electro-Mechanical and Mechatronics Technologists and Technicians$76K
- Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians$74K
- Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians$69K
- Surveying and Mapping Technicians$62K
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical36 jobs
- Surgeons, All Other$397K
- Physicians, All Other$369K
- Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric$317K
- Family Medicine Physicians$272K
- Dentists, General$181K
- Optometrists$161K
- Pharmacists$158K
- Physician Assistants$145K
- Veterinarians$141K
- Speech-Language Pathologists$129K
- Nurse Practitioners$128K
- Occupational Therapists$123K
- Dental Hygienists$122K
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographers$115K
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists$110K
- Physical Therapists$107K
- Registered Nurses$106K
- Audiologists$103K
- Surgical Assistants$101K
- Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians$99K
- Respiratory Therapists$93K
- Radiologic Technologists and Technicians$91K
- Paramedics$80K
- Surgical Technologists$78K
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$75K
- Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$74K
- Dietitians and Nutritionists$74K
- Athletic Trainers$68K
- Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other$66K
- Chiropractors$59K
- Medical Records Specialists$58K
- Ophthalmic Medical Technicians$55K
- Opticians, Dispensing$53K
- Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$53K
- Pharmacy Technicians$53K
- Emergency Medical Technicians$46K
Life, Physical, and Social Science20 jobs
- Biochemists and Biophysicists$153K
- Physical Scientists, All Other$148K
- School Psychologists$143K
- Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists$135K
- Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers$132K
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists$124K
- Physicists$123K
- Materials Scientists$122K
- Economists$117K
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists$111K
- Chemists$109K
- Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other$105K
- Urban and Regional Planners$103K
- Conservation Scientists$98K
- Biological Scientists, All Other$98K
- Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists$90K
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$82K
- Biological Technicians$78K
- Chemical Technicians$71K
- Forest and Conservation Technicians$65K
Business and Financial Operations24 jobs
- Management Analysts$144K
- Project Management Specialists$127K
- Personal Financial Advisors$116K
- Financial and Investment Analysts$115K
- Financial Risk Specialists$114K
- Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists$113K
- Budget Analysts$108K
- Accountants and Auditors$106K
- Logisticians$105K
- Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists$105K
- Business Operations Specialists, All Other$105K
- Financial Specialists, All Other$104K
- Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators$102K
- Compliance Officers$102K
- Human Resources Specialists$99K
- Credit Analysts$98K
- Buyers and Purchasing Agents$92K
- Loan Officers$85K
- Fundraisers$85K
- Training and Development Specialists$80K
- Property Appraisers and Assessors$80K
- Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners$80K
- Tax Preparers$66K
- Credit Counselors$63K
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media16 jobs
- Art Directors$116K
- Technical Writers$116K
- Fashion Designers$101K
- Commercial and Industrial Designers$99K
- Public Relations Specialists$91K
- Producers and Directors$91K
- Writers and Authors$90K
- Editors$84K
- Interpreters and Translators$82K
- Interior Designers$82K
- Graphic Designers$77K
- Photographers$67K
- Audio and Video Technicians$61K
- Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$55K
- Floral Designers$48K
- Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$46K
Educational Instruction and Library29 jobs
- Postsecondary Teachers, All Other$105K
- Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary$97K
- Instructional Coordinators$92K
- Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary$92K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Middle School$92K
- Special Education Teachers, Secondary School$91K
- Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School$91K
- Special Education Teachers, Middle School$90K
- Business Teachers, Postsecondary$89K
- Teachers and Instructors, All Other$89K
- Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$89K
- Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary$89K
- Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education$88K
- Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education$88K
- Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary$88K
- Communications Teachers, Postsecondary$87K
- Special Education Teachers, Preschool$87K
- Librarians and Media Collections Specialists$86K
- Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education$84K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School$82K
- Education Teachers, Postsecondary$81K
- Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary$74K
- Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other$66K
- Tutors$59K
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$54K
- Self-Enrichment Teachers$50K
- Library Technicians$49K
- Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary$35K
Sales and Related17 jobs
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$143K
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers$143K
- Sales Engineers$142K
- Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents$114K
- Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel$109K
- Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products$100K
- Advertising Sales Agents$81K
- Sales and Related Workers, All Other$75K
- Insurance Sales Agents$66K
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers$64K
- Travel Agents$62K
- Parts Salespersons$52K
- Counter and Rental Clerks$52K
- Telemarketers$44K
- Retail Salespersons$42K
- Demonstrators and Product Promoters$42K
- Cashiers$40K
Community and Social Service15 jobs
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers$87K
- Marriage and Family Therapists$84K
- Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors$79K
- Health Education Specialists$75K
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists$75K
- Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors$74K
- Healthcare Social Workers$72K
- Child, Family, and School Social Workers$72K
- Clergy$70K
- Social Workers, All Other$69K
- Community Health Workers$68K
- Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$62K
- Rehabilitation Counselors$60K
- Counselors, All Other$56K
- Social and Human Service Assistants$54K
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair22 jobs
- Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers$107K
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers$89K
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$84K
- Medical Equipment Repairers$79K
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$78K
- Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists$78K
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$76K
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$76K
- Automotive Body and Related Repairers$74K
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment$73K
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers$72K
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$71K
- Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$69K
- Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other$64K
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics$60K
- Maintenance and Repair Workers, General$58K
- Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$58K
- Automotive Glass Installers and Repairers$57K
- Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers$56K
- Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers$55K
- Bicycle Repairers$49K
- Tire Repairers and Changers$48K
Protective Service11 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives$134K
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers$115K
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators$97K
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers$93K
- Firefighters$82K
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other$64K
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers$60K
- Protective Service Workers, All Other$56K
- Security Guards$48K
- Crossing Guards and Flaggers$41K
- Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers$37K
Construction and Extraction14 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers$88K
- Construction and Building Inspectors$84K
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters$73K
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$71K
- Electricians$68K
- Carpenters$64K
- Highway Maintenance Workers$60K
- Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers$60K
- Sheet Metal Workers$59K
- Painters, Construction and Maintenance$58K
- Roofers$57K
- Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$55K
- Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$53K
- Construction Laborers$51K
Office and Administrative Support35 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers$87K
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants$83K
- Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks$69K
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks$68K
- Public Safety Telecommunicators$66K
- Postal Service Mail Carriers$64K
- Financial Clerks, All Other$63K
- Office Clerks, General$62K
- Postal Service Clerks$62K
- Court, Municipal, and License Clerks$60K
- Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs$59K
- Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks$59K
- Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$59K
- Information and Record Clerks, All Other$58K
- Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping$58K
- Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$58K
- Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$58K
- Billing and Posting Clerks$58K
- Loan Interviewers and Clerks$56K
- Procurement Clerks$55K
- Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other$54K
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks$54K
- Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan$54K
- Order Clerks$53K
- Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive$53K
- Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks$53K
- Customer Service Representatives$51K
- Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants$51K
- Data Entry Keyers$50K
- File Clerks$50K
- Tellers$48K
- Bill and Account Collectors$47K
- Receptionists and Information Clerks$43K
- Library Assistants, Clerical$43K
- Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks$41K
Production31 jobs
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers$93K
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$92K
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators$73K
- Plant and System Operators, All Other$72K
- Machinists$71K
- Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$68K
- Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$64K
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$63K
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators$62K
- Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$59K
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$58K
- Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$56K
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters$55K
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$54K
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$53K
- Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders$53K
- Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$53K
- Production Workers, All Other$52K
- Printing Press Operators$50K
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders$50K
- Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$49K
- Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$48K
- Butchers and Meat Cutters$48K
- Food Processing Workers, All Other$46K
- Helpers--Production Workers$46K
- Bakers$44K
- Food Batchmakers$44K
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$44K
- Sewing Machine Operators$43K
- Print Binding and Finishing Workers$43K
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers$41K
Transportation and Material Moving16 jobs
- Commercial Pilots$140K
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors$69K
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers$64K
- Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$63K
- Bus Drivers, School$62K
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$60K
- Light Truck Drivers$52K
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$51K
- Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs$50K
- Driver/Sales Workers$46K
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$46K
- Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other$45K
- Stockers and Order Fillers$44K
- Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$43K
- Packers and Packagers, Hand$43K
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants$42K
Healthcare Support14 jobs
- Occupational Therapy Assistants$82K
- Massage Therapists$81K
- Physical Therapist Assistants$60K
- Dental Assistants$56K
- Medical Equipment Preparers$54K
- Medical Assistants$50K
- Phlebotomists$50K
- Nursing Assistants$50K
- Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$49K
- Orderlies$45K
- Home Health and Personal Care Aides$44K
- Medical Transcriptionists$44K
- Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$43K
- Physical Therapist Aides$41K
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry2 jobs
Personal Care and Service14 jobs
- Skincare Specialists$67K
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services$63K
- Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$61K
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers$60K
- Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors$59K
- Residential Advisors$50K
- Animal Trainers$48K
- Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other$46K
- Manicurists and Pedicurists$46K
- Childcare Workers$44K
- Recreation Workers$43K
- Animal Caretakers$42K
- Concierges$42K
- Amusement and Recreation Attendants$40K
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance8 jobs
- First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers$71K
- First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers$62K
- Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation$59K
- Building Cleaning Workers, All Other$51K
- Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers$51K
- Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$44K
- Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$41K
- Grounds Maintenance Workers, All Other$41K
Food Preparation and Serving Related14 jobs
- Chefs and Head Cooks$65K
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers$56K
- Waiters and Waitresses$55K
- Bartenders$53K
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria$47K
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers$45K
- Cooks, Restaurant$43K
- Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$43K
- Food Preparation Workers$42K
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant$41K
- Food Preparation and Serving Related Workers, All Other$40K
- Dishwashers$40K
- Cooks, Fast Food$38K
- Fast Food and Counter Workers$38K
Average salary in nearby cities
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Salary in Boulder: questions
What is a good salary in Boulder?
Half of all workers in the Boulder metro earn less than $69,580 and the average is $91,760. Earning more than $110,430 puts you in the top quarter of local wages.
How much do you need to earn in Boulder to match a $70,751 salary elsewhere?
About $74,431, because prices here are 5% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 105.2).
What are the highest-paying jobs in Boulder?
Surgeons, All Other ($396,510), Physicians, All Other ($369,410), Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric ($317,330).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. Area Boulder, CO (14500), all occupations and 412 individual jobs.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Colorado's FAMLI premium and the flat monthly occupational privilege taxes of Denver, Aurora and a few other cities are not included.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.