Software Developer in Longmont, CO

As a career analyst who’s watched Longmont evolve from a quiet farming town into a tech-adjacent hub, I’ve put together this guide for software developers. This isn't a brochure about the Rocky Mountains. It's a data-driven look at what your paycheck, your commute, and your career path look like here. Longmont sits in a unique spot: it's affordable compared to Boulder or Denver, but it’s close enough to tap into their job markets. Let’s break down the reality.

The Salary Picture: Where Longmont Stands

First, let’s talk numbers. The data shows that software developers in the Longmont metro area earn a median salary of $127,221 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $61.16. This is remarkably close to the national average of $127,260/year. For a mid-sized city that isn't a primary tech hub like San Francisco or Seattle, this is strong compensation. It suggests that local employers are competing for talent and are willing to pay market rates to keep you from commuting to Boulder or Denver.

The 10-year job growth for the region is 17%, and there are currently 595 jobs listed in the metro area for software developers. This indicates a stable, growing market. You aren't walking into a bubble, but you aren't in a ghost town either.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in this market. Note that "Entry" usually means 0-2 years, "Mid" is 3-5 years, "Senior" is 5-10 years, and "Expert" is 10+ years or specialized leadership.

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range (Annual)	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level	$85,000 - $105,000	Bug fixes, feature implementation, learning codebase, working under supervision.
Mid-Level	$105,000 - $135,000	Independent feature development, code reviews, mentoring juniors, system design input.
Senior-Level	$135,000 - $165,000+	System architecture, leading projects, technical mentorship, cross-team collaboration.
Expert/Lead	$165,000 - $200,000+	Setting technical strategy, managing teams, high-level stakeholder communication.

Comparison to Other CO Cities:

• Boulder: Salaries are typically 10-15% higher (~$140,000-$145,000 median), but the cost of living is significantly steeper. Commuting from Longmont to Boulder is a very common, 20-40 minute drive against traffic (if timed right).
• Denver: Salaries are on par or slightly higher (~$130,000-$135,000 median), but the commute is a major factor (45-75 minutes each way via I-25). Denver offers more large-scale corporate employers (like Oracle or Charles Schwab).
• Fort Collins: Very similar to Longmont in salary and cost of living, but with a stronger focus on ag-tech and education (Colorado State University).

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base salary. Many Longmont employers, especially in the manufacturing and aerospace sectors, offer excellent benefits packages (often 4-6 weeks of PTO, strong 401k matches, and solid health insurance) that can add $15,000-$20,000 in value annually.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. We’ll use the median salary of $127,221. After federal, state (Colorado has a flat 4.4% income tax), and FICA taxes, your approximate monthly take-home pay is around $7,300 - $7,600, depending on your deductions.

Now, factor in the average 1BR rent of $1,548/month. Here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown for a developer living alone in Longmont:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Apartment)	$1,548	Average for a decent, modern complex in a safe area.
Utilities (Elec, Gas, Internet)	$200 - $250	Xcel Energy is the primary utility. Internet is competitive (Comcast, CenturyLink, local fiber).
Groceries & Household	$500 - $600	For one person. King Soopers (Kroger) and Safeway are dominant.
Transportation	$200 - $400	Gas, insurance, minimal maintenance. Many developers work hybrid (2-3 days in office).
Health Insurance	$150 - $300	Highly variable based on employer plan.
Entertainment/Dining	$400 - $600	Longmont has a growing food scene, but it's cheaper than Denver.
Savings/Debt/Other	$2,000+	This is the key. After these expenses, you should have $2,000+ left for student loans, investments, or savings.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
This is the big question. The median home price in Longmont is approximately $500,000 - $550,000. With a 20% down payment ($100k - $110k), a mortgage at current rates (around 7%) would be roughly $3,200 - $3,500 per month (including taxes and insurance). That’s more than double the average rent.

For a single software developer earning the median salary, buying a home in Longmont is a stretch without a significant down payment or dual income. It's not impossible, but it requires aggressive saving for several years. A common strategy is to rent in Longmont for 2-3 years, save aggressively, and then consider buying in a slightly more affordable outlying area like Milliken or Johnstown, or look at townhomes/condos in Longmont proper.

Where the Jobs Are: Longmont's Major Employers

Longmont's tech scene is a mix of local startups, established manufacturing/tech companies, and satellite offices for larger firms. You won't find a Google campus here, but you will find steady, well-paying work.

1. Seagate Technology: A massive employer in the tech space. They have a sizable campus in Longmont focusing on storage solutions. They hire a lot of embedded software engineers, systems engineers, and QA developers. Hiring is often steady but can be cyclical based on product cycles.
2. Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp: While their main campus is in Boulder, they have a significant presence in Longmont. They work on spacecraft, sensors, and national defense systems. This is a prime spot for developers with a security clearance or an interest in aerospace/defense. The work is highly specialized and pays well.
3. Sundrop Farms (and related ag-tech companies): Longmont is a hub for agricultural technology. Companies working on solar desalination, automated farming systems, and food processing tech hire software developers for IoT, data analytics, and automation systems.
4. Local Startups & Scale-Ups: Longmont has a growing downtown startup scene. Companies like Left Hand Brewing (yes, they need software for their operations) and various tech-enabled service companies are based here. Check the Longmont Entrepreneurial Network and Spark Longmont for the latest players.
5. Healthcare Systems: Longs Peak Hospital (part of UCHealth) and St. Vrain Valley School District are large employers that need in-house software developers for EHR systems, student information systems, and internal tools. These jobs offer great stability and benefits.
6. Remote-First Companies with a Longmont Base: Many developers in Longmont work remotely for companies based in Denver, Boulder, or beyond. The local internet infrastructure is solid enough to support this. This is a growing trend, allowing you to earn a Denver salary while paying Longmont rent.

Hiring Trend: The trend is toward hybrid roles. Fully remote is less common for local employers, who often value some in-person collaboration. However, the ability to work from home 2-3 days a week is now standard.

Getting Licensed in CO

Good news: software developers are not licensed professionals in the way doctors or engineers are. You do not need a state license to write code.

However, there are certifications and registrations that can boost your employability, especially in certain sectors:

• Security Clearances: If you're interested in Ball Aerospace or defense contractors, you'll need to obtain a security clearance (typically Secret or Top Secret). This is a process sponsored by an employer, not something you apply for on your own. It can take 6-12 months and requires a clean background.
• Professional Certifications: While not state-mandated, certifications from AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Azure, or Scrum Alliance are highly valued by local employers. The cost ranges from $150 (exam fee) to $2,000+ for a training course.
• Timeline to Get Started: You can start applying for jobs immediately. There's no mandatory "waiting period." If you're moving from out of state, you have 30 days to get a Colorado driver's license and register your vehicle. The cost for a new license is $32, plus vehicle registration fees (which are based on vehicle value).

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Longmont is divided by the diagonal US-287/CO-119, but the neighborhoods are distinct. Here’s where developers tend to live, based on lifestyle and commute.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent Estimate	Best For
Downtown/ Old Town	Walkable, historic, breweries, cafes. Easy bike ride to work if you're downtown.	$1,600 - $1,800	Younger developers, social butterflies, those who want to avoid a car commute.
South Longmont (Near 119 & Hover)	Newer apartments, close to shopping (Target, Costco), easy access to Boulder via 119.	$1,500 - $1,650	Professionals who commute to Boulder or work at Seagate (south campus).
West Side (Near Roosevelt Park)	Quiet, single-family home feel, established parks. A 10-15 minute drive to most offices.	$1,450 - $1,600 (for 1BR)	Those who want a quieter residential feel but still want to be close to amenities.
East Side (Near 9th Ave & Main)	More affordable, growing area, closer to Boulder County open space.	$1,350 - $1,500	Budget-conscious developers, those who don't mind a 15-20 minute commute.
The "Lofts" Area (Near 4th & Main)	Modern, upscale apartments in converted buildings. Very central.	$1,700 - $1,900+	Senior developers or those with a higher budget who want luxury and location.

Insider Tip: The best value for a developer is often the West Side or South Longmont. You get more space for your money, and the commute to any major employer is under 20 minutes. Avoid the immediate area around the hospital if you value a quiet night's sleep.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Longmont is not a place for rapid, flashy career jumps like you might find in a Silicon Valley startup. It's a place for steady, substantive growth.

Specialty Premiums:

• Embedded Systems & IoT: Due to Seagate and ag-tech, developers with C/C++ and hardware interface skills can command a 10-15% premium over the median.
• Aerospace/Defense: Skills in real-time systems, safety-critical code, and security clearances can push salaries toward the $150,000+ range at senior levels.
• Cloud/DevOps: This is universal. AWS/Azure certified developers are in high demand everywhere, including Longmont. This skill set is your ticket to higher-paying remote roles as well.

Advancement Paths:
The path is typically: Junior Developer → Mid-Level → Senior Developer → Tech Lead/Architect. Management tracks (Engineering Manager) exist but are fewer in number than in a massive tech hub. The best growth often comes from becoming a subject-matter expert in a local industry (e.g., storage systems, agricultural automation, aerospace).

10-Year Outlook:
The 17% job growth is promising. Longmont's strategic location between Boulder and Denver means it will likely continue to attract mid-sized companies looking for a cost-effective base with access to talent. The focus will likely grow in ag-tech and sustainable tech. Salaries should track with the national average, but the key advantage will remain the cost-of-living arbitrage.

The Verdict: Is Longmont Right for You?

Here’s a final, honest breakdown of the pros and cons.

Pros	Cons
Cost of Living vs. Salary: The $127,221 median salary stretches further here than in Boulder or Denver.	Career Ceiling: Fewer ultra-high-growth startups and FAANG-level companies. Less networking density.
Work-Life Balance: The culture is less "hustle-obsessed." Outdoor access is immediate.	Limited Nightlife: It’s a family-friendly town. If you want a bustling club scene, you’ll be driving to Denver.
Commute: A 15-20 minute commute is the norm. Traffic is minimal compared to the Front Range.	Housing Affordability: While better than Boulder, buying a home is still a major challenge for a single income.
Job Stability: Employers like Seagate, Ball, and healthcare systems offer stable, long-term employment.	Remote Work Competition: You’re competing with Denver/Boulder developers for remote jobs, which can be tougher.
Community Feel: It’s easy to meet people and get involved. The tech community is collaborative, not cutthroat.	Air Quality: Summer wildfire smoke can be an issue, as can winter inversions.

Final Recommendation:
Longmont is an excellent choice for mid-career software developers (3-10 years of experience) who value stability, a reasonable cost of living, and easy access to the outdoors. It's perfect for those working in embedded systems, aerospace, or ag-tech. For entry-level developers, it's a good starting point if you can land a job at a stable local employer. For experts seeking the absolute highest salary and most cutting-edge projects, it might feel limiting, though the proximity to Boulder/Denver mitigates this.

FAQs

1. Do I need a car in Longmont?
Yes. While there's a bus system (RTD and Longmont's own "Transit"), it’s not comprehensive enough for a developer's varied commute (often to industrial parks). A car is essential for grocery runs, weekend trips to the mountains, and getting to work efficiently.

2. How competitive is the job market?
It's moderately competitive. You won't face hundreds of applicants for a single role like in a major hub, but the talent pool is smaller. Having a specialized skill (like embedded C++ or a security clearance) gives you a significant edge. Networking locally through groups like Longmont Tech Meetup is highly effective.

3. What’s the winter like for commuting?
Winters are sunny but cold, with occasional snowstorms. I-25 can get slick, but Longmont's local roads are plowed quickly. Most employers are understanding about weather delays. A remote work setup (even 1 day a week) is common and helps mitigate this.

4. Can I really work remotely for a Boulder/Denver company from Longmont?
Absolutely. Many do the reverse—live in Boulder but work remotely. Living in Longmont and working remotely for a Denver company gives you the best financial setup, but you lose the local networking. The key is having a reliable internet connection (fiber is available in many areas).

5. Are there networking opportunities?
Yes, but they're smaller and more intimate. Look for events at the Longmont Public Library, Spark Longmont, or tech talks at Front Range Community College. The Boulder/Denver tech scenes are a 30-60 minute drive away, and many Longmont developers attend those meetups as well. It's a great way to stay connected to the broader ecosystem.