EngineeringUpdated Q1 2026

Electrical Engineer Salary
in Denver, CO

Design and develop electrical systems, from power grids to consumer electronics. Median salary in Denver: $118K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$118K
per year
Take-home: $78K

Salary range in Denver

Entry level (25th)$87,000
Median (50th)$118,000
Senior (75th)$152,000
Top earner (90th)$190,000
Data freshness

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

Help build this dataset. Add your own Electrical Engineer salary so other workers in Denver have better numbers to work with.
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What the numbers say for Denver

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

12% premium vs national median

Electrical Engineers in Denver earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $13,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Denver's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living index (118), the median Electrical Engineer salary buys the equivalent of $100,000 in a US-average-cost city. That's $5,000 less purchasing power than the national median β€” the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 28% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Denver ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 28% of an after-tax median Electrical Engineer salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($152K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Denver

Median salary
$118K
annual
Take-home pay
$78K
after fed/state tax
COL index
118
100 = US avg
State income tax
4.55%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+3.1%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Denver Electrical Engineer to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $139K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Denver

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

HistoricalProjected
Electrical Engineer salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$99K$111K$122K$134K$145K201920212023202520272029
2026
$123K
projected
2027
$128K
projected
2028
$134K
projected
2029
$139K
projected
2030
$145K
projected

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

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$123,000+$5,000
2028 projected$128,000+$10,000
2029 projected$134,000+$16,000
2030 projected$139,000+$21,000

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

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Electrical Engineer Salary in Denver, Colorado: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Electrical Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $118,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Denver–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 Electrical Engineer in Denver

Entry-level Electrical Engineers in Denver with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $87,000 and $118,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $118,000 to $152,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $152,000 to $190,000 or more.

Cost of living in Denver for Electrical Engineers

Denver has a cost of living index of 118 compared to the US national average of 100. Denver's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Colorado has a 4.55% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Electrical Engineer

Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering. 35% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Electrical Engineer salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Denver (current)$118K118
Colorado Springs$105K102
Aurora$110K112
Fort Collins$118K112
Lakewood$121K115
Thornton$113K108