Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Boulder, CO
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $203,420 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $143,204 take-home, or $11,934 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$37,555
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,980
- Colorado income tax$8,242
- Take-home pay$143,204
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $146,600 | $70.48 | $105,725 | $8,810 |
| 25th percentile | $169,650 | $81.56 | $120,466 | $10,039 |
| Median (50th) | $203,420 | $97.80 | $143,204 | $11,934 |
| 75th percentile | $234,020 | $112.51 | $163,103 | $13,592 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $268,670+ | $129.17 | $184,326 | $15,360 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $203,420 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 architectural and engineering manager's $143,204 take-home pay has the buying power of $136,123 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 2.5× the national concentration of architectural and engineering manager jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for architectural and engineering managers, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #6 of 82 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Peoria, IL | $212,820 | $147,979 | $162,203 |
| 2 | Albuquerque, NM | $215,120 | $150,853 | $157,885 |
| 3 | Manchester, NH | $212,050 | $157,802 | $149,353 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $234,590 | $152,428 | $138,040 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $204,340 | $152,123 | $136,884 |
| 6 | Boulder, CO | $203,420 | $143,204 | $136,123 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $176,540 | $131,931 | $134,533 |
| 8 | Cincinnati, OH | $177,160 | $128,265 | $134,492 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 82 metros →
Architectural and Engineering Manager salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $183,400
- Denver, CO — $191,440
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Boulder, CO?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $203,420 a year, or about $97.80 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $169,650 and $234,020.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $203,420 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $143,204 a year ($11,934 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $8,242 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $136,123 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #6 of 82 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager 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) — 15% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
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- Marketing Manager — $199,570
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