Electrical Engineer Salary

Electrical Engineer Salary in Colorado: $124,832 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Colorado's 32 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $124,832/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because Colorado sits at BEA RPP 105.0 (5% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $118,888 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boulder ($130,170), Fort Collins ($125,560), Loveland ($122,552).

Electrical Engineer Salary in Colorado - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Colorado electrical engineer salary overview (2026)
$124,832
Avg Median Salary
$60.01
Avg Hourly Rate
4,329
Metro Employed
32
Cities

In 2026, the average median salary for electrical engineers in Colorado is projected to be $124,833, which is slightly below the national median of $125,033, indicating a difference of -0.2%. Boulder leads the state with the highest salary at $134,921, while Golden offers the lowest at $113,307, highlighting a salary gap of $21,614 driven by factors such as local demand for engineering talent, the cost of living, and the concentration of tech companies in certain areas. Colorado has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence electrical engineering roles. The demand for electrical engineers is expected to continue to rise, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, reflecting ongoing advancements in technology and infrastructure projects across various sectors. The total employment for electrical engineers in the state stands at 4,329, with key cities like Fort Collins, Loveland, Arvada, and Thornton offering competitive salaries of $130,143, $127,025, $126,052, and $125,037, respectively. This landscape presents a solid job market for engineers, with opportunities for career growth and development tailored to meet the demands of a technologically advancing state.

Colorado Electrical Engineer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$83,899
avg across 32 cities
Median
$124,832
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$197,895
avg across 32 cities

Overall salary range in Colorado: $73,030 (lowest entry-level) to $214,545 (highest top earner)

Colorado vs National Average

Colorado
$124,832
National Median
$125,033

Colorado electrical engineers earn 0.16% less than the national median ($-201/year difference).

Colorado Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Colorado electrical engineer salary percentiles: 10th percentile $83,899, 25th $100,281, Median $124,832, 75th $151,544, 90th $197,895. US national median is $125,033.$55.4K$110.8K$166.2K$221.6K$83.9K10thEntry Level$100.3K25thEarly Career$124.8KMedianMid Career$151.5K75thExperienced$197.9K90thTop EarnerUS Median $125.0K

Electrical Engineer salaries in Colorado range from $83,899 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $197,895 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $124,832. The Colorado median is $201 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $60.01/hr. Approximately 4,329 electrical engineers are employed across 32 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$97,722

2025 BLS Actual

$120,437

2026 Current Est.

$124,832

2019–2027 Growth

+32.4%

Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Colorado (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for electrical engineers in Colorado. Baseline $97,722 in 2025, projected to $129,389 by 2027.$91.4K$102.5K$113.6K$124.6K$135.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$97.7K$98.6K$100.0K$105.1K$111.7K$114.3K$120.4K$124.8K$129.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$97,722Actual
2020$98,605Actual
2021$100,009Actual
2022$105,106Actual
2023$111,694Actual
2024$114,299Actual
2025$120,437Actual
2026(current)$124,832Estimated
2027$129,389Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 23.2% from $97,722 (2019) to $120,437 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,389 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,667 (32.41%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Colorado

#1
Boulder
530 employed · $64.86/hr
$134,921
+8.08% vs avg
#2
Fort Collins
200 employed · $62.57/hr
$130,143
+4.25% vs avg
#3
Loveland
17 employed · $61.07/hr
$127,025
+1.76% vs avg
#4
Arvada
31 employed · $60.60/hr
$126,052
+0.98% vs avg
#5
Thornton
34 employed · $60.12/hr
$125,037
+0.16% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Colorado

CityMedian Salary
Golden$113,307
Evans$114,011
Louisville$114,677
Durango$115,353
Steamboat Springs$116,085

Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in Colorado

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Colorado cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Pueblo$122,84691.762$133,875
Fort Collins$130,143101.128$128,691
Boulder$134,921105.202$128,249
Greeley$122,297100.176$122,082
Colorado Springs$122,566100.707$121,706

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Colorado

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$83,899
Mid Career (3-7 years)$124,832
Experienced (7+ years)$197,895

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Colorado metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 32 Cities in Colorado

#CityMedian Salary
1Boulder$134,921
2Fort Collins$130,143
3Loveland$127,025
4Arvada$126,052
5Thornton$125,037
6Centennial$124,494
7Westminster$123,794
8Denver$123,364
9Lakewood$123,197
10Pueblo$122,846
11Colorado Springs$122,566
12Greeley$122,297
13Parker$122,025
14Erie$121,805
15Windsor$121,500
16Castle Rock$121,264
17Broomfield$121,226
18Longmont$121,187
19Aurora$120,655
20Englewood$120,258
21Commerce City$119,422
22Lafayette$119,139
23Wheat Ridge$118,452
24Brighton$117,344
25Littleton$116,952
26Fountain$116,885
27Northglenn$116,771
28Steamboat Springs$116,085
29Durango$115,353
30Louisville$114,677
31Evans$114,011
32Golden$113,307

More Colorado Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in Colorado cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new electrical engineers.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.

Compare Cities in Colorado

View all comparisons →

Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do electrical engineers make in Colorado in 2026?

The average median electrical engineer salary in Colorado is $124,832/year across 32 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $113,307 in Golden to $134,921 in Boulder. This makes Colorado 0.16% below the national median of $125,033. The state employs approximately 4,329 electrical engineers.

What is the highest paying city for electrical engineers in Colorado?

Boulder offers the highest electrical engineer salary in Colorado at $134,921/year ($64.86/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Boulder ($134,921), Fort Collins ($130,143), Loveland ($127,025). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for electrical engineering services, and competition among employers for licensed electrical engineers.

How does Colorado electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?

Colorado's average electrical engineer salary of $124,832 is 0.16% below the national median of $125,033 in 2026. The state employs approximately 4,329 electrical engineers across 32 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level electrical engineer salary in Colorado?

Entry-level electrical engineers (10th percentile) in Colorado earn approximately $83,899/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $73,030 in lower-paying areas to $89,160 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many electrical engineers are employed in Colorado?

Colorado employs approximately 4,329 electrical engineers across 32 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the electrical engineering field expands and the population ages.

Which Colorado city offers the best value for electrical engineers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Pueblo offers the highest purchasing power for electrical engineers in Colorado, with an adjusted salary of $133,875 (nominal: $122,846, CoL index: 91.762). This means your dollar goes 9% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
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

Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 electrical engineer compensation across Colorado. State averages are employment-weighted across 32 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).

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

Last verified: