EnergyUpdated Q1 2026

Drilling Engineer Salary
in Colorado Springs, CO

Plan and oversee the drilling of oil and gas wells safely and efficiently. Median salary in Colorado Springs: $130K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$130K
per year
Take-home: $86K

Salary range in Colorado Springs

Entry level (25th)$100,000
Median (50th)$130,000
Senior (75th)$165,000
Top earner (90th)$205,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

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What the numbers say for Colorado Springs

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Colorado Springs's cost-of-living index (102), the median Drilling Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $127,451 in a US-average-cost city. That's $2,549 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Primarily on-site role

Only 10% of Drilling Engineer positions offer remote flexibility, meaning the Colorado Springs salary above represents what local employers actually pay β€” not a remote-anywhere rate. Geographic constraints reinforce the local market, so the salary range above is more directly applicable than for remote-friendly roles.

Slower wage growth (1%/yr)

Drilling Engineer wages are growing at 1% year-over-year β€” slower than the BLS all-occupations average of ~3.5%. Real wages may lag inflation in years where CPI exceeds this rate, so total compensation negotiation (bonus, equity, benefits) matters more than base salary growth for this role.

Key facts for Colorado Springs

Median salary
$130K
annual
Take-home pay
$86K
after fed/state tax
COL index
102
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.55%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,450
per month
YoY growth
+1%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Colorado Springs Drilling Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $130K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Colorado Springs

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Drilling Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$109K$119K$128K$138K$147K201920212023202520272029
2026
$133K
projected
2027
$137K
projected
2028
$140K
projected
2029
$143K
projected
2030
$147K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$130,000+$0
2028 projected$130,000+$0
2029 projected$130,000+$0
2030 projected$130,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Drilling Engineer Salary in Colorado Springs, Colorado: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Drilling Engineer salary in Colorado Springs, CO is $130,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Colorado Springs–CO metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Drilling Engineer in Colorado Springs

Entry-level Drilling Engineers in Colorado Springs with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $100,000 and $130,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $130,000 to $165,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $165,000 to $205,000 or more.

Cost of living in Colorado Springs for Drilling Engineers

Colorado Springs has a cost of living index of 102 compared to the US national average of 100. Living costs in Colorado Springs are close to the national average. Colorado has a 4.55% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Drilling Engineer

Bachelor's degree. 10% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Drilling Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Colorado Springs (current)$130K102
Denver$150K118
Aurora$137K112
Fort Collins$146K112
Lakewood$150K115
Thornton$140K108