Aerospace Engineer Salary in Boulder, CO
Aerospace Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $167,160 a year — 24% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $118,873 take-home, or $9,906 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median aerospace engineer salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,852
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,364
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,424
- Colorado income tax$6,647
- Take-home pay$118,873
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Aerospace Engineer pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,320 | $49.67 | $77,678 | $6,473 |
| 25th percentile | $128,640 | $61.85 | $94,240 | $7,853 |
| Median (50th) | $167,160 | $80.37 | $118,873 | $9,906 |
| 75th percentile | $210,380 | $101.14 | $148,024 | $12,335 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $210,410 | $101.16 | $148,044 | $12,337 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $167,160 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 aerospace engineer's $118,873 take-home pay has the buying power of $112,995 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 9.6× the national concentration of aerospace engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for aerospace engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #1 of 28 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulder, CO | $167,160 | $118,873 | $112,995 |
| 2 | Cleveland, OH | $143,020 | $105,869 | $112,719 |
| 3 | Baltimore, MD | $166,980 | $117,563 | $112,515 |
| 4 | Seattle, WA | $163,580 | $123,073 | $110,744 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $191,260 | $126,367 | $109,302 |
| 6 | San Jose, CA | $181,630 | $120,387 | $109,023 |
| 7 | Colorado Springs, CO | $151,980 | $109,166 | $108,399 |
| 8 | Wichita, KS | $130,720 | $94,119 | $105,815 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 28 metros →
Aerospace Engineer salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $151,980
- Denver, CO — $156,190
Frequently asked questions
How much does a aerospace engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median aerospace engineer salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $167,160 a year, or about $80.37 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $128,640 and $210,380.
What is a aerospace engineer’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $167,160 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $118,873 a year ($9,906 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,647 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a aerospace engineer?
Pay here is 24% above the national median of $134,960. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $112,995 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #1 of 28 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a aerospace engineer 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) — 18% of a median aerospace engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $161,720
- Engineers, All Other — $137,530
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,230
- Electrical Engineer — $130,170
- Mechanical Engineer — $124,360
- Industrial Engineer — $117,160