Park Ranger Salary in Denver, CO — 2026
Park Ranger salary data for Denver, CO — adjusted for local cost of living. Entry-level to senior pay ranges, take-home pay calculator, and local job market insights.
The median Park Ranger salary in Denver, CO is $50,740 per year ($4,228/month, $24/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 118, which is 18% above the national average.
Park Ranger Take-Home Pay in Denver
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $50,740 |
| Federal Tax | -$3,909 |
| State Tax (4.4%) | -$2,233 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$3,882 |
| Annual Take-Home | $40,717 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $3,393 |
Living Cost Comparison
Park Ranger Requirements
Key Skills
Denver Job Market Overview
Denver, Colorado has a population of 715,522 and an unemployment rate of 3.0%. The top industries are Technology, Energy, Healthcare. The local job growth rate is 2.5%, and the average commute time is 27 minutes.
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Salary Percentile Breakdown — Park Ranger in Denver
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Park Ranger in Denver, CO, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $37,760 | $18/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $44,250 | $21/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $50,740 | $24/hr | Mid-career, 0-2 years |
| 75th | $71,980 | $35/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $81,420 | $39/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Park Ranger compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Denver's Technology sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Park Ranger salaries in Denver have grown approximately 9.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Park Ranger can expect a 17.5% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 4 years in Denver. Negotiation, certifications (Federal Law Enforcement Training, EMT-B), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Denver vs National Average
The national median Park Ranger salary is $43,000. In Denver, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $50,740 is 18.0% above the national figure. This reflects Denver's cost of living index of 118 (higher than the national average of 100).
For Park Rangers, this means: rent typically consumes 54.5% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered rent-burdened), and a median home in Denver costs about 13.5× annual take-home. Homeownership in Denver on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Technology in Denver
Denver's economy is anchored by Technology, Energy, Healthcare, with 715,522 residents and 3.0% unemployment as of 2026. Park Rangers working in the Technology sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 2.5%, and Park Ranger occupations specifically are projected to grow 3.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Park Ranger salaries in Denver, CO:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Denver index of 118 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), CO state income tax of 4.4%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Denver QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Denver unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Park Ranger salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Technology vs others in Denver), specific skill set (Conservation, Law Enforcement, First Aid), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Park Ranger salary in Denver, CO?
How much does a Park Ranger take home in Denver after taxes?
Is Denver a good city for Park Rangers?
What skills are needed for a Park Ranger in Denver?
How does Park Ranger salary in Denver compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Park Ranger salary in Denver, CO?
The median Park Ranger salary in Denver, CO is $50,740 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 118. Entry-level Park Rangers earn around $37,760, while senior-level professionals can earn $71,980 or more.
How much does a Park Ranger take home in Denver after taxes?
A Park Ranger earning the median salary of $50,740 in Denver, CO takes home approximately $40,717 per year ($3,393/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 19.8%.
Is Denver a good city for Park Rangers?
Denver, CO has a cost of living index of 118 (above national average). Park Rangers here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 3.0% and top industries include Technology, Energy, Healthcare.
What skills are needed for a Park Ranger in Denver?
Key skills for Park Rangers include Conservation, Law Enforcement, First Aid, Environmental Education, Wilderness Skills. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include Federal Law Enforcement Training, EMT-B, Wildfire Training.
How does Park Ranger salary in Denver compare to the national average?
The national median Park Ranger salary is $43,000. In Denver, the adjusted salary is $50,740, which is 18.0% higher than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.