Project Management Specialist Salary in Denver, CO
Project Management Specialists in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $116,740 a year — 14% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $86,528 take-home, or $7,211 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median project management specialist salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$16,853
- Social Security (6.2%)$7,238
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,693
- Colorado income tax$4,428
- Take-home pay$86,528
Marginal rate: 22% 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 Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $71,600 | $34.42 | $56,759 | $4,730 |
| 25th percentile | $89,060 | $42.82 | $68,273 | $5,689 |
| Median (50th) | $116,740 | $56.13 | $86,528 | $7,211 |
| 75th percentile | $137,710 | $66.21 | $100,040 | $8,337 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $172,060 | $82.72 | $122,007 | $10,167 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $116,740 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 project management specialist's $86,528 take-home pay has the buying power of $81,799 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 1.9× 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
Denver, CO ranks #10 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 |
| 10 | Denver, CO | $116,740 | $86,528 | $81,799 |
*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
- Boulder, CO — $122,040
- Colorado Springs, CO — $111,740
Frequently asked questions
How much does a project management specialist make in Denver, CO?
The median project management specialist salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $116,740 a year, or about $56.13 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $89,060 and $137,710.
What is a project management specialist’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $116,740 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $86,528 a year ($7,211 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $4,428 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a project management specialist?
Pay here is 14% above the national median of $102,320. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $81,799 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #10 of 64 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a project management specialist 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 project management specialist’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Denver, CO
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- Personal Financial Advisor — $98,740
- Logistician — $97,290
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- Cost Estimator — $89,820
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- Compliance Officer — $83,580
- Human Resources Specialist — $82,550