Architectural and Engineering Manager Salary in Denver, CO
Architectural and Engineering Managers in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median $191,440 a year — 12% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $134,831 take-home, or $11,236 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median architectural and engineering manager salary in Denver, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$34,680
- Social Security (6.2%)$11,439
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,776
- Colorado income tax$7,715
- Take-home pay$134,831
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Architectural and Engineering Manager pay by experience in Denver, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $139,990 | $67.30 | $101,498 | $8,458 |
| 25th percentile | $167,620 | $80.59 | $119,167 | $9,931 |
| Median (50th) | $191,440 | $92.04 | $134,831 | $11,236 |
| 75th percentile | $227,730 | $109.49 | $159,250 | $13,271 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $287,530+ | $138.24 | $195,421 | $16,285 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $191,440 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 architectural and engineering manager's $134,831 take-home pay has the buying power of $127,461 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 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
Denver, CO ranks #23 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 |
| 23 | Denver, CO | $191,440 | $134,831 | $127,461 |
*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
- Boulder, CO — $203,420
- Colorado Springs, CO — $183,400
Frequently asked questions
How much does a architectural and engineering manager make in Denver, CO?
The median architectural and engineering manager salary in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $191,440 a year, or about $92.04 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $167,620 and $227,730.
What is a architectural and engineering manager’s take-home pay in Denver, CO?
On the median $191,440 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $134,831 a year ($11,236 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $7,715 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Denver, CO a good place to work as a architectural and engineering manager?
Pay here is 12% above the national median of $171,270. Local prices are 5.8% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $127,461 would in a typical U.S. city. Denver, CO ranks #23 of 82 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a architectural and engineering manager 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) — 16% of a median architectural and engineering manager’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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