Technology Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

Data Scientist Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median data scientist salary in Boulder, CO is $146,907 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median and 20.4% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$146,907
vs State Avg
+$24,844
vs National
+$38,887
Cost of Living
128%

Data Scientist Pay in Boulder: What to Expect (2026)

Boulder offers a median data scientist salary of $146,907, which is $24,844 above the Colorado state average of $122,063. Compared to the national median of $108,020, 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 $146,907 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $114,771. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for data scientists in Boulder spans from $83,504 at the 10th percentile to $242,352 at the 90th percentile — a $158,848 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $97,920, while senior data scientists with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $224,400. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Data Scientist Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level data scientist earns around $97,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $224,400 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$97,920
+$25,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$152,320
+$40,320 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$224,400
+$59,400 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $83,504
25th Percentile $114,512
Median (50th) $146,907
75th Percentile $191,760
90th Percentile $242,352

Data Scientist Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Denver, CO
$129,624
Pop. 715,522
Fort Collins, CO
$123,143
Pop. 169,810
Aurora, CO
$122,063
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$116,662
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Data Scientist in Boulder

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonRSQLMachine LearningStatisticsData Visualization

Job Outlook

Nationally, data scientist employment is projected to grow 35% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Boulder may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Data Scientist Jobs in Boulder

Browse open data scientist positions in Boulder, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Data Scientist Salary in Boulder

How much does a Data Scientist make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median data scientist salary in Boulder, Colorado is $146,907 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median of $108,020. Salaries range from $83,504 (10th percentile) to $242,352 (90th percentile).
How much does a Data Scientist make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $146,907, a data scientist in Boulder earns approximately $71 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for data scientist pay? ▼
Boulder's median data scientist salary of $146,907 is 20.4% above the Colorado state average of $122,063. 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 data scientist salary of $146,907 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a data scientist in Boulder? ▼
Most data scientist positions in Boulder require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, R, SQL, Machine Learning. The job market is projected to grow 35% nationally over the next decade.