Electrical Engineer Salary in Boulder, CO
Electrical Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $130,170 a year — 8% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $95,218 take-home, or $7,935 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median electrical engineer salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$19,975
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,071
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,887
- Colorado income tax$5,019
- Take-home pay$95,218
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Electrical Engineer pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,200 | $40.00 | $64,409 | $5,367 |
| 25th percentile | $99,770 | $47.97 | $75,337 | $6,278 |
| Median (50th) | $130,170 | $62.58 | $95,218 | $7,935 |
| 75th percentile | $165,370 | $79.50 | $117,729 | $9,811 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $206,990 | $99.51 | $145,676 | $12,140 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $130,170 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 electrical engineer's $95,218 take-home pay has the buying power of $90,510 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 2.2× the national concentration of electrical engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for electrical engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #25 of 79 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque, NM | $163,720 | $116,477 | $121,907 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $159,360 | $120,189 | $113,754 |
| 3 | Austin, TX | $145,360 | $110,620 | $112,801 |
| 4 | San Jose, CA | $187,060 | $123,681 | $112,007 |
| 5 | Chattanooga, TN | $123,840 | $95,911 | $104,862 |
| 6 | Houston, TX | $131,070 | $100,852 | $102,254 |
| 7 | Huntsville, AL | $130,330 | $94,095 | $101,099 |
| 8 | Kennewick, WA | $128,190 | $98,884 | $98,806 |
| 25 | Boulder, CO | $130,170 | $95,218 | $90,510 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 79 metros →
Electrical Engineer salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $118,250
- Denver, CO — $119,020
Frequently asked questions
How much does a electrical engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median electrical engineer salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $130,170 a year, or about $62.58 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $99,770 and $165,370.
What is a electrical engineer’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $130,170 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $95,218 a year ($7,935 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $5,019 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a electrical engineer?
Pay here is 8% above the national median of $120,630. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $90,510 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #25 of 79 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a electrical 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) — 23% of a median electrical engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
- Aerospace Engineer — $167,160
- Computer Hardware Engineer — $161,720
- Engineers, All Other — $137,530
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer — $132,230
- Mechanical Engineer — $124,360
- Industrial Engineer — $117,160