Technology Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

Network Engineer Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median network engineer salary in Boulder, CO is $125,120 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median and 20.4% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$125,120
vs State Avg
+$21,160
vs National
+$33,120
Cost of Living
128%

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

Boulder offers a median network engineer salary of $125,120, which is $21,160 above the Colorado state average of $103,960. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 $125,120 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $97,750. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for network engineers in Boulder spans from $76,160 at the 10th percentile to $197,200 at the 90th percentile — a $121,040 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $81,600, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $187,680. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Network Engineer Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level network engineer earns around $81,600, while experienced professionals earn up to $187,680 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$81,600
+$21,600 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$127,840
+$33,840 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$187,680
+$49,680 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $76,160
25th Percentile $100,640
Median (50th) $125,120
75th Percentile $160,480
90th Percentile $197,200

Network Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Denver, CO
$110,400
Pop. 715,522
Fort Collins, CO
$104,880
Pop. 169,810
Aurora, CO
$103,960
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$99,360
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Network Engineer in Boulder

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network 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 Network Engineer Jobs in Boulder

Browse open network engineer positions in Boulder, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Boulder

How much does a Network Engineer make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Boulder, Colorado is $125,120 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $76,160 (10th percentile) to $197,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $125,120, a network engineer in Boulder earns approximately $60 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Boulder's median network engineer salary of $125,120 is 20.4% above the Colorado state average of $103,960. 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 network engineer salary of $125,120 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Boulder? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Boulder require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.