Software Developer salary in Boulder, CO
Software Developers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn a median of $164,560 a year ($79.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 7,130 workers.
Pay ranges from $102,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,660 for the top 10%. That is 21% higher than the national median of $135,980. Pay here is 19% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $138,390. There are 37 software developers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $166,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for software developers in Boulder, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $102,880 | $49.46 |
| 25th percentile | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Median | $164,560 | $79.11 |
| 75th percentile | $206,650 | $99.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $235,660 | $113.30 |
| Average (mean) | $166,480 | $80.04 |
Half of software developers 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 | $13,713.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,856.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,329.23 |
| Weekly | $3,164.62 |
| Hourly | $79.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Software Developer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $137,610 | 27,010 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $134,280 | 4,850 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $133,990 | 1,820 |
| Greeley, CO | $129,480 | 560 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $123,990 | 170 |
| Pueblo, CO | $122,780 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for software developers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $174,410 |
| Washington | $166,540 |
| New York | $166,180 |
| Massachusetts | $165,210 |
| Oregon | $142,720 |
| New Hampshire | $139,720 |
| Maryland | $138,680 |
| Colorado | $138,390 |
| District of Columbia | $136,880 |
| Virginia | $136,460 |
See Software Developer pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Boulder, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Network Architect | $156,360 | $75.18 |
| Computer User Support Specialist | $74,380 | $35.76 |
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $147,590 | $70.96 |
| Network and Computer Systems Administrators | $109,790 | $52.79 |
| Information Security Analyst | $154,990 | $74.52 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $136,410 | $65.58 |
| Web and Digital Interface Designers | $139,900 | $67.26 |
| Computer Network Support Specialist | $78,770 | $37.87 |
| Database Architect | $139,160 | $66.90 |
| Database Administrator | $116,250 | $55.89 |
| Computer and Information Research Scientists | $169,400 | $81.44 |
| Computer Programmer | $155,030 | $74.54 |
| Computer Systems Analyst | $132,750 | $63.82 |
| Data Scientist | $134,040 | $64.44 |
More: Computer and Mathematical Occupations · all salaries in Boulder, CO
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 15-1252. 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 software developer make in Boulder, CO?
The median salary for software developers in the Boulder, CO metro area is $164,560 a year, or $79.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $102,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $235,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid software developers make in Boulder, CO?
The top 10% of software developers in the Boulder, CO metro area earn at least $235,660 a year. The top 25% earn $206,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for software developers in Boulder, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $102,880 a year, and a quarter of software developers earn $129,210 or less.
How many software developers work in Boulder, CO?
About 7,130 software developers are employed in the Boulder, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.