Project Management Specialist Salary in Boulder, CO
Project Management Specialists in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $122,040 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $90,019 take-home, or $7,502 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$18,024
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,566
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,770
- Colorado income tax$4,661
- Take-home pay$90,019
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Project Management Specialist pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $75,140 | $36.13 | $59,093 | $4,924 |
| 25th percentile | $88,100 | $42.36 | $67,640 | $5,637 |
| Median (50th) | $122,040 | $58.67 | $90,019 | $7,502 |
| 75th percentile | $160,590 | $77.21 | $114,672 | $9,556 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $197,040 | $94.73 | $138,759 | $11,563 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $122,040 buys in Boulder, CO
Prices in Boulder, CO are 5.2% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.57× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median project management specialist's $90,019 take-home pay has the buying power of $85,568 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Boulder, CO has 2.2× the national concentration of project management specialist jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for project management specialists, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #2 of 64 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $130,380 | $100,381 | $90,325 |
| 2 | Boulder, CO | $122,040 | $90,019 | $85,568 |
| 3 | San Jose, CA | $135,120 | $93,527 | $84,699 |
| 4 | Des Moines, IA | $101,150 | $76,797 | $83,747 |
| 5 | Washington, DC | $127,030 | $90,262 | $82,897 |
| 6 | Colorado Springs, CO | $111,740 | $83,231 | $82,647 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $102,390 | $80,861 | $82,456 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $101,050 | $76,107 | $82,239 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 64 metros →
About the job: project management specialists
Analyze and coordinate the schedule, timeline, procurement, staffing, and budget of a product or service on a per project basis. Lead and guide the work of technical staff. May serve as a point of contact for the client or customer.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +6.7% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Project Management Specialist salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $111,740
- Denver, CO — $116,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Boulder, CO?
The median project management specialist salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $122,040 a year, or about $58.67 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $88,100 and $160,590.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $122,040 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $90,019 a year ($7,502 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,661 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $85,568 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #2 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist afford rent in Boulder, CO?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Boulder, CO is $1,795 a month ($2,124 for two bedrooms) — 24% of a median project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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