ocity
💰 COL Index: 100 — Below Avg Cost

Salaries in Boulder, CO

Modeled occupation planning estimates with gross-pay and cost-context formulas.

Model generated 2026-02-26 · Methodology reviewed July 16, 2026 · 40 selected occupations

Selected-Role Model Average
$69,083
unweighted modeled medians; not a worker average
Purchasing-Power Model
$69,152
model average ÷ 99.9 × 100
Highest Modeled Role
Marketing Manager
$157,572
City 1BR Rent Reference
$1,823
monthly context; not a current quote

What does the salary model mean for Boulder?

$69,083 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for these 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all local workers.

Model average$69,083/year
Gross monthly equivalent$5,757/month
Household income context$75,923

Keep the measures separate: gross monthly salary is before taxes and deductions; household income can include multiple earners; the selected-role model average is not weighted by local employment.

🏆 Highest Modeled Values in This 40-Role Set

Ranked by modeled annual occupation median. These are planning estimates, not direct local OEWS rows.

🥇 0% vs national

Marketing Manager

$157,572
💡 Purchasing-power model $157,730
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $75.76/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥈 0% vs national

Pharmacist

$135,989
💡 Purchasing-power model $136,125
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $65.38/hr
National projected growth -3.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
🥉 0% vs national

Software Developer

$127,221
💡 Purchasing-power model $127,348
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $61.16/hr
National projected growth +17.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
4️⃣ 0% vs national

Construction Manager

$108,177
💡 Purchasing-power model $108,285
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $52.01/hr
National projected growth +8.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →
5️⃣ 0% vs national

Project Manager

$101,249
💡 Purchasing-power model $101,350
⏱ Hourly modeled equivalent $48.68/hr
National projected growth +6.0%
Career Guide → Best Cities →

📋 Complete Salary Guide — All 40 Occupations in Boulder

Purchasing-power equivalent = modeled annual median divided by the planning cost index (99.9/100). It does not estimate taxes or take-home pay. This city cost reference is below 100.

Showing all 40 occupations.

#
1 Marketing Manager $157,572
2 Pharmacist $135,989
3 Software Developer $127,221
4 Construction Manager $108,177
5 Project Manager $101,249
6 Physical Therapist $99,680
7 Financial Analyst $98,980
8 Web Developer $92,722
9 Dental Hygienist $87,503
10 Accountant $86,054
11 Registered Nurse $86,044
12 Data Analyst $83,334
13 Police Officer $74,887
14 Human Resources Specialist $67,629
15 Elementary School Teacher $63,650
16 Plumber $63,330
17 Paralegal $62,731
18 Electrician $61,531
19 Real Estate Agent $61,461
20 Graphic Designer $61,321
21 Firefighter $57,102
22 Carpenter $56,902
23 HVAC Technician $55,653
24 Heavy Truck Driver $53,074
25 Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) $49,985
26 Insurance Agent $49,985
27 Veterinary Technician $49,985
28 Pharmacy Technician $49,985
29 Dental Assistant $49,985
30 Loan Officer $49,985
31 Nail Technician $49,985
32 Cosmetologist $49,985
33 Personal Trainer $49,985
34 Auto Mechanic $49,985
35 Chef/Head Cook $49,985
36 Social Worker $49,985
37 Welder $49,575
38 Medical Assistant $38,258
39 Security Guard $36,129
40 Nursing Assistant (CNA) $35,749

OCity planning estimates. National occupation references are inputs; displayed city values are modeled rather than direct local BLS occupation rows.

Boulder salary model: formulas, sources and limitations

Stored occupation model comparison

modeled estimate ÷ stored national reference = row comparison

On this owner, estimate-to-reference ratios are 0.625×–1.499× across occupations. Ratios can vary by occupation, so this is not described as one citywide multiplier or a direct local OEWS download.

Purchasing-power equivalent

modeled estimate ÷ 99.9 × 100

This comparison does not estimate taxes or take-home pay and is not an official BLS adjustment.

Limitations. “Average” is unweighted across selected occupations. Growth fields are national occupation projections, not local forecasts. City and metro geographies can differ. Repeated stored employment counts are not presented as local jobs.
BLS OEWS methodologyBLS national projectionsCensus/ACS income context

Model generated 2026-02-26; methodology reviewed July 16, 2026.

🏙️ Living Costs in Boulder

🏠
1BR Rent
$1,823/mo
🏡
2BR Rent
$2,217/mo
🏘️
Median Home
$992,500
📉
Unemployment
3.4%
💳
Median Income
$75,923
🎓
College Educated
76%
🚶
Walk Score
45/100
📊
Cost of Living
100
Below Avg Cost
📊 Full Cost of Living Breakdown → 🏠 Real Estate Market →

🧮 Test Your Boulder Budget

Use scenario tools to compare gross pay and city cost context. Results depend on the inputs and do not guarantee take-home pay, housing approval or affordability.

💰 Decode a Job Offer 🔄 Salary Equivalence Calculator 🔍 Career Arbitrage Tool

❓ Boulder Salary FAQ

What does the average salary in Boulder mean on this page?

▼
$69,083 is the unweighted arithmetic average of the modeled medians for 40 selected occupations. It is not an official mean or median for all Boulder workers.

What is the monthly salary estimate in Boulder?

▼
The selected-occupation model average equals about $5,757 per month before taxes and deductions. This gross arithmetic conversion is not take-home pay or household income.

What is a good salary in Boulder?

▼
There is no universal threshold. Household size, current housing quotes, taxes, debt, benefits, transportation and other recurring costs determine fit. The figures here are planning references, not affordability guarantees.

Are these direct local BLS salary observations for Boulder?

▼
No. Each stored city planning estimate is compared with its stored national occupation reference. The estimate-to-reference relationship is 0.625×–1.499× across occupations; it is not represented as one universal city multiplier or a direct local BLS observation.

📝 Planning Takeaways for Boulder

Use the occupation rows to compare modeled gross-pay references, not to predict an offer. Validate the exact role, experience level, employer, benefits and location. Then model taxes and current household costs before making a relocation or career decision.

Career Decisions

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