Engineering Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

Civil Engineer Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median civil engineer salary in Boulder, CO is $115,123 per year, which is 28.0% above the national median and 21.9% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$115,123
vs State Avg
+$20,686
vs National
+$25,183
Cost of Living
128%

Civil Engineer Pay in Boulder: What to Expect (2026)

Boulder offers a median civil engineer salary of $115,123, which is $20,686 above the Colorado state average of $94,437. Compared to the national median of $89,940, Boulder pays above average for this role.

However, Boulder's cost of living index is 128%, significantly above the national average. After adjusting for local costs, the $115,123 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $89,940. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for civil engineers in Boulder spans from $77,312 at the 10th percentile to $177,408 at the 90th percentile — a $100,096 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $79,360, while senior civil engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $166,400. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Civil Engineer Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level civil engineer earns around $79,360, while experienced professionals earn up to $166,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$79,360
+$17,360 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$115,200
+$25,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$166,400
+$36,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $77,312
25th Percentile $93,696
Median (50th) $115,123
75th Percentile $145,920
90th Percentile $177,408

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Denver, CO
$100,733
Pop. 715,522
Fort Collins, CO
$95,336
Pop. 169,810
Aurora, CO
$94,437
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$89,940
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Civil Engineer in Boulder

Education

Most civil engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Boulder and the surrounding Colorado area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

AutoCADStructural AnalysisProject ManagementGISConstruction ManagementPE License

Job Outlook

Nationally, civil engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Boulder may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Civil Engineer Jobs in Boulder

Browse open civil engineer positions in Boulder, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Civil Engineer Salary in Boulder

How much does a Civil Engineer make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median civil engineer salary in Boulder, Colorado is $115,123 per year, which is 28.0% above the national median of $89,940. Salaries range from $77,312 (10th percentile) to $177,408 (90th percentile).
How much does a Civil Engineer make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $115,123, a civil engineer in Boulder earns approximately $55 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for civil engineer pay? ▼
Boulder's median civil engineer salary of $115,123 is 21.9% above the Colorado state average of $94,437. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Boulder, CO? ▼
Boulder has a cost of living index of 128% compared to the national average. This means a civil engineer salary of $115,123 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a civil engineer in Boulder? ▼
Most civil engineer positions in Boulder require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include AutoCAD, Structural Analysis, Project Management, GIS. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.