Computer Network Architect Salary in Boulder, CO
Computer Network Architects in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $156,360 a year — 17% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $111,967 take-home, or $9,331 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median computer network architect salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$26,260
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,694
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,267
- Colorado income tax$6,171
- Take-home pay$111,967
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Computer Network Architect pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,470 | $51.19 | $79,755 | $6,646 |
| 25th percentile | $132,070 | $63.50 | $96,433 | $8,036 |
| Median (50th) | $156,360 | $75.17 | $111,967 | $9,331 |
| 75th percentile | $186,000 | $89.42 | $131,014 | $10,918 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,210 | $103.95 | $152,061 | $12,672 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $156,360 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 network architect's $111,967 take-home pay has the buying power of $106,430 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 9.0× the national concentration of computer network architect jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for computer network architects, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #8 of 58 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Orlando, FL | $156,560 | $118,275 | $116,621 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $172,650 | $129,272 | $116,322 |
| 3 | Las Vegas, NV | $148,710 | $112,909 | $112,667 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $186,110 | $123,074 | $111,457 |
| 5 | Hartford, CT | $159,720 | $113,001 | $109,981 |
| 6 | Baltimore, MD | $160,340 | $113,390 | $108,521 |
| 7 | Durham, NC | $144,990 | $105,090 | $107,705 |
| 8 | Boulder, CO | $156,360 | $111,967 | $106,430 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 58 metros →
Computer Network Architect salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Denver, CO — $139,230
- Fort Collins, CO — $131,690
- Colorado Springs, CO — $130,980
Frequently asked questions
How much does a computer network architect make in Boulder, CO?
The median computer network architect salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $156,360 a year, or about $75.17 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $132,070 and $186,000.
What is a computer network architect’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $156,360 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $111,967 a year ($9,331 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,171 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a computer network architect?
Pay here is 17% above the national median of $134,050. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $106,430 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #8 of 58 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a computer network architect 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 network architect’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
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- Information Security Analyst — $154,990
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- Data Scientist — $134,040
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- Computer User Support Specialist — $74,380