Denver Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Denver, CO: $37.74/hr median hourly wage, $78,500 median annual salary, cost of living index 118, and $14.81/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and Colorado taxes.
Denver Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Denver, CO is $37.74/hr, equivalent to $78,500 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $23.40/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $53.59/hr, and the local minimum wage is $14.81/hr.
Median Salary
$78,500
$37.74/hr
Cost of Living
118
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$14.81
per hour
Unemployment
3%
rate
Denver, CO Overview
Population
715,522
Median Salary
$78,500
Average Salary
$87,000
Avg Commute
27 min
Median Home Price
$550,000
Median Rent
$1,850/mo
Job Growth
+2.5%
Sales Tax
8.81%
Denver is located in Colorado with a population of 715,522. The median household salary is $78,500 per year ($37.74/hour), which is $19,116 above the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 27 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +2.5%.
Denver Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Denver, CO based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $78,500 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $48,670 | $23.40/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $78,500 | $37.74/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $111,470 | $53.59/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $139,730 | $67.18/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Denver Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Denver, CO, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$60,601
$5,050.06/month · $2,330.80/biweekly · Effective Rate: 22.8%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $2,330.80 take-home per paycheck after estimated Colorado and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$78,500
Federal Tax
-$8,440
State Tax
-$3,454
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$6,005
Net Pay
$60,601
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $6,541.67 | $78,500.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$703.33 | -$8,440.00 |
| Colorado State Tax (4.4%) | -$287.83 | -$3,454.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$405.58 | -$4,867.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$94.85 | -$1,138.25 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $5,050.06 | $60,600.75 |
Salary Comparison: Denver vs Other Cities
See how Denver's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver, CO | $78,500 | 118 | $66,525 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Gilbert, AZ | $78,500 | 110 | $71,364 |
| San Diego, CA | $78,500 | 160 | $49,063 |
| South Jordan, UT | $78,414 | 105.2 | $74,538 |
| Bowie, MD | $78,360 | 112.8 | $69,468 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Denver
Denver's cost of living index is 118 (national average = 100). Living in Denver is 18% more expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$550,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,850
Annual Rent Cost
$22,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $60,601 annual take-home pay in Denver has the purchasing power of approximately $51,357 in an average-cost US area. You would need to earn $92,630 in Denver to match a $78,500 salary in an average-cost city.
Top Industries in Denver
Denver's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $78,500.
Salary Tips for Denver Workers
- Research top industries. Denver's top industries include Technology, Energy, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $78,500 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Job Salaries in Denver, CO
Browse occupation-specific salary estimates adjusted for Denver's cost of living. These pages connect national role benchmarks with local take-home pay and market context.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Denver salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Denver-CO metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Denver indexed at 118.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Denver's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $78,500 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects Colorado state income tax (4.4%) (no local income tax), sales tax (8.81%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Denver: 3%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Technology, Energy, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 2.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for Colorado.
- Housing context: median home price $550,000, median rent $1,850/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Denver, CO:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Denver unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Denver QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — Colorado — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Denver's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent Colorado labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Denver, CO?
The median hourly wage in Denver, CO is $37.74 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $78,500 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $23.40/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $53.59/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Denver, CO?
The median salary in Denver, CO is $78,500 per year, or $37.74 per hour. The average salary is $87,000. This is $19,116 above the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Denver, CO?
Denver's cost of living index is 118 (national average = 100), meaning it is 18% more expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $550,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,850.
What are the best industries in Denver?
The top industries in Denver, CO include Technology, Energy, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 2.5% and an unemployment rate of 3%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $78,500.
How does Denver's salary compare to other cities?
Denver's median salary of $78,500 is 32.2% above the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 118), the real purchasing power is approximately $66,525.
What is the minimum wage in Denver, CO?
The minimum wage in Denver, CO is $14.81 per hour. This equals approximately $30,805 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $7.56 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.