Software Developer Salary in Boulder, CO
Software Developers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median $164,560 a year — 21% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $117,211 take-home, or $9,768 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Boulder, CO. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$28,228
- Social Security (6.2%)$10,203
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,386
- Colorado income tax$6,532
- Take-home pay$117,211
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 4.40% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Software Developer pay by experience in Boulder, CO
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,880 | $49.46 | $77,388 | $6,449 |
| 25th percentile | $129,210 | $62.12 | $94,604 | $7,884 |
| Median (50th) | $164,560 | $79.12 | $117,211 | $9,768 |
| 75th percentile | $206,650 | $99.35 | $145,441 | $12,120 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,660 | $113.30 | $164,107 | $13,676 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, Colorado resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $164,560 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 software developer's $117,211 take-home pay has the buying power of $111,415 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 3.4× the national concentration of software developer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Boulder, CO ranks #4 of 72 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 6 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 7 | San Francisco, CA | $186,640 | $123,413 | $106,747 |
| 8 | Austin, TX | $134,120 | $102,937 | $104,967 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 72 metros →
About the job: software developers
Research, design, and develop computer and network software or specialized utility programs. Analyze user needs and develop software solutions, applying principles and techniques of computer science, engineering, and mathematical analysis. Update software or enhance existing software capabilities. May work with computer hardware engineers to integrate hardware and software systems, and develop specifications and performance requirements. May maintain databases within an application area, working individually or coordinating database development as part of a team.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +10.2% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Software Developer salaries elsewhere in Colorado
- Colorado Springs, CO — $134,280
- Denver, CO — $137,610
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Boulder, CO?
The median software developer salary in the Boulder, CO metro area is $164,560 a year, or about $79.12 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $129,210 and $206,650.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Boulder, CO?
On the median $164,560 salary, a single filer living in Colorado takes home about $117,211 a year ($9,768 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $6,532 in Colorado taxes in 2026.
Is Boulder, CO a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 21% above the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 5.2% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $111,415 would in a typical U.S. city. Boulder, CO ranks #4 of 72 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 18% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.