Computer Hardware Engineer Salary in Boulder, CO
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $161,720 a year — 0% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $115,394 take-home, or $9,616 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer hardware engineer salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,547
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,027
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,345
- Colorado income tax$6,407
- Take-home pay$115,394
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Computer Hardware Engineer pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $100,390 | $48.26 | $75,746 | $6,312 |
| 25th percentile | $132,770 | $63.83 | $96,881 | $8,073 |
| Median (50th) | $161,720 | $77.75 | $115,394 | $9,616 |
| 75th percentile | $205,000 | $98.56 | $144,298 | $12,025 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,650 | $104.16 | $152,366 | $12,697 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $161,720 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 computer hardware engineer's $115,394 take-home pay has the buying power of $109,688 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 6.8× the national concentration of computer hardware engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer hardware engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #9 of 29 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Austin, TX | $165,530 | $124,406 | $126,859 |
| 2 | San Jose, CA | $209,860 | $138,173 | $125,131 |
| 3 | Dallas, TX | $162,870 | $122,588 | $118,913 |
| 4 | Fort Collins, CO | $168,990 | $120,044 | $118,705 |
| 5 | Phoenix, AZ | $167,010 | $121,451 | $117,553 |
| 6 | San Francisco, CA | $203,890 | $134,409 | $116,258 |
| 7 | Seattle, WA | $169,120 | $126,860 | $114,151 |
| 8 | Palm Bay, FL | $150,530 | $114,153 | $114,148 |
| 9 | Boulder, CO | $161,720 | $115,394 | $109,688 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 29 metros →
Computer Hardware Engineer salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Fort Collins, CO — $168,990
- Colorado Springs, CO — $136,920
- Denver, CO — $144,660
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer hardware engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median computer hardware engineer salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $161,720 a year, or about $77.75 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $132,770 and $205,000.
What is a computer hardware engineer’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $161,720 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $115,394 a year ($9,616 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,407 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a computer hardware engineer?
Pay here is 0% below the national median of $161,740. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $109,688 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #9 of 29 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer hardware 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) — 19% of a median computer hardware engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Aerospace Engineer — $167,160
- Engineers, All Other — $137,530
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,230
- Electrical Engineer — $130,170
- Mechanical Engineer — $124,360
- Industrial Engineer — $117,160