Electrical Engineer Salary in Golden, CO: $113,307 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Golden, CO earns a median $113,307/year (≈ $54.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Golden's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $107,911 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation landscape for electrical engineers in Golden, Colorado, presents a median annual salary of $113,307, which is notably below the national median of $125,033. Salaries for electrical engineers here range from $77,611 at the 10th percentile to as high as $164,676 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by various factors. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors. Compared to national levels, Golden's electrical engineer pay is approximately 9.38% lower, reflecting local market conditions and the demand for specific skill sets, particularly in areas such as semiconductor design and defense contracting where security clearance may play a significant role.
About the Golden Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,611 | $37.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $89,963 | $43.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $113,307 | $54.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $141,235 | $67.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $164,676 | $79.17 |
Median Salary Position
9.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Golden
In Golden, CO, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $87,065 (2026 est.). At $113,307, the local median is 9.38% below the national median of $125,033.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Golden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Golden Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Golden median: $113,307/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Golden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $123,160 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $125,033 | -9.38% less |
Electrical Engineers in Golden, CO earn a median of $113,307 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.38% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 8.00% below the Colorado state average of $123,160.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Golden has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Golden, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $113,307 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $107,911 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$89,290
2025 BLS Actual
$109,317
2026 Current Est.
$113,307
2019–2027 Growth
+31.5%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Golden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $89,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,374 | Actual |
| 2021 | $91,002 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,039 | Actual |
| 2025 | $109,317 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $113,307 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $117,443 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Golden metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 22.4% from $89,290 (2019) to $109,317 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $117,443 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,153 (31.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Golden metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,611 – $89,963 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $89,963 – $113,307 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $113,307 – $141,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $141,235 – $164,676 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Golden
Golden's job market for electrical engineers currently supports a small cohort of just six professionals, making it important for individuals in this field to consider not only salary but also cost-of-living implications, especially with a cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 105. This dynamic means that while salaries might seem competitive, the purchasing power may not stretch as far as in regions with lower living costs. Employers such as Lockheed Martin and Intel are noted for potentially offering higher compensation, particularly for roles requiring security clearances or expertise in chip design. To maximize their pay, electrical engineers in Golden can strategically target these companies, pursue specialized certifications, or aim for roles that grant them equity, especially in the tech sector, thereby enhancing long-term financial prospects in an increasingly competitive field.
More salary data for Golden, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $109,317 for electrical engineersin the Golden metropolitan area. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Golden is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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