Electrical Engineer Salary

Denver vs Aurora: Electrical Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare electrical engineer salaries between Denver, CO and Aurora, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$123,364
$59.31/hr
Aurora, CO
$120,655
$58.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COAurora, CO
Median Salary$123,364$120,655
Hourly Rate$59.31$58.00
Entry Level (P10)$83,283$73,898
25th Percentile$101,815$90,481
75th Percentile$148,914$154,439
Top Earner (P90)$203,268$187,015
Total Employed2,62054
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($123,364) and Aurora ($120,655) electrical engineer salaries.DenverAuroraMedian Salary$123,364$120,655Entry Level (P10)$83,283$73,898Top Earner (P90)$203,268$187,015US Median $125,033

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for electrical engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Denver and Aurora is $2,709 (2.25%). Denver's median is -1.33% compared to the US national median of $125,033.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $119,985,Aurora spans $113,117. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$83,283
P25$101,815
Median$123,364
P75$148,914
P90 (Top)$203,268
Aurora
P10 (Entry)$73,898
P25$90,481
Median$120,655
P75$154,439
P90 (Top)$187,015

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($116,621 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($114,910 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $123,364
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $116,621
Aurora
Nominal: $120,655
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $114,910

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($123,364/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($203,268)
  • Larger job market (2,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $116,621)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Aurora if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, electrical engineer salaries in Denver grew 26.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.5% growth in Aurora over the same period.

Denver, CO

+26.8%

$93,830 (2019) → $119,020 (2025)

Aurora, CO

+-8.5%

$127,238 (2024) → $116,406 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays electrical engineers more: Denver or Aurora?

Denver has a higher median electrical engineer salary at $123,364/year, compared to Aurora at $120,655/year — a difference of $2,709 (2.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Aurora?

Denver electrical engineers earn $59.31/hr while Aurora hygienists earn $58.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Aurora as a electrical engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Aurora. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $116,621, Aurora = $114,910), job availability (2,620 vs 54 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level electrical engineers earn in Denver vs Aurora?

Entry-level (10th percentile) electrical engineers earn $83,283 in Denver and $73,898 in Aurora. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AP

Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE

Career Analyst

Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.

Clinically reviewed by Carlos Martinez, BSEEData verified by Nia Thompson, MEng

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.65% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov