Mechanical Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Mechanical Engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $124,360 a year ($59.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,790 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $124,430. There are 5.9 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.1× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $131,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,480 | $38.21 |
| 25th percentile | $97,800 | $47.02 |
| Median | $124,360 | $59.79 |
| 75th percentile | $161,810 | $77.79 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,790 | $94.61 |
| Average (mean) | $131,980 | $63.45 |
Half of mechanical engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,363.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,181.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,783.08 |
| Weekly | $2,391.54 |
| Hourly | $59.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $128,180 | 4,530 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $109,370 | 500 |
| Greeley, CO | $108,500 | 150 |
| Pueblo, CO | $105,580 | 70 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $105,210 | 90 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $102,820 | 450 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $117,160 | $56.33 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $167,160 | $80.36 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $161,720 | $77.75 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $132,230 | $63.57 |
| Engineers, All Other | $137,530 | $66.12 |
| Electrical Engineer | $130,170 | $62.58 |
| Materials Engineer | $151,940 | $73.05 |
| Chemical Engineer | $125,800 | $60.48 |
| Bioengineers and Biomedical Engineers | $129,030 | $62.03 |
| Environmental Engineer | $103,530 | $49.77 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,550 | $50.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $77,210 | $37.12 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $75,200 | $36.16 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $69,010 | $33.18 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2141. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $124,360 a year, or $59.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $196,790 a year. The top 25% earn $161,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,480 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $97,800 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Boulder, CO?
About 1,130 mechanical engineers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.