Electrical Engineer Salary in Denver, CO
Electrical Engineers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $119,020 a year — 1% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $88,032 take-home, or $7,336 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$17,354
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,379
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,726
- Colorado income tax$4,528
- Take-home pay$88,032
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $80,350 | $38.63 | $62,529 | $5,211 |
| 25th percentile | $98,230 | $47.23 | $74,321 | $6,193 |
| Median (50th) | $119,020 | $57.22 | $88,032 | $7,336 |
| 75th percentile | $143,670 | $69.07 | $103,851 | $8,654 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,110 | $94.28 | $138,107 | $11,509 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $119,020 buys in Denver, CO
Prices in Denver, CO are 5.8% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.47× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median electrical engineer's $88,032 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,220 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Denver, CO has 1.3× the national concentration of electrical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Denver, CO ranks #11 of 18 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $187,060 | $123,681 | $112,007 |
| 3 | Houston, TX | $131,070 | $100,852 | $102,254 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $140,210 | $107,100 | $96,371 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $166,030 | $111,378 | $96,337 |
| 6 | Dallas, TX | $124,390 | $96,287 | $93,400 |
| 7 | Philadelphia, PA | $127,730 | $94,648 | $92,291 |
| 8 | Boston, MA | $128,610 | $92,960 | $85,863 |
| 11 | Denver, CO | $119,020 | $88,032 | $83,220 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 18 metros →
About the job: electrical engineers
Research, design, develop, test, or supervise the manufacturing and installation of electrical equipment, components, or systems for commercial, industrial, military, or scientific use.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.9% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Denver, CO?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $119,020 a year, or about $57.22 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $98,230 and $143,670.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $119,020 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $88,032 a year ($7,336 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,528 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 1% below the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,220 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #11 of 18 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical engineer afford rent in Denver, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Denver, CO is $1,754 a month ($2,089 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
- Mechanical Engineer — $128,180
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $127,260
- Industrial Engineer — $108,680
- Civil Engineer — $104,710