Technology Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

QA Engineer Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median qa engineer salary in Boulder, CO is $122,400 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median and 20.4% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$122,400
vs State Avg
+$20,700
vs National
+$32,400
Cost of Living
128%

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

Boulder offers a median qa engineer salary of $122,400, which is $20,700 above the Colorado state average of $101,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 $122,400 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $95,625. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for qa engineers in Boulder spans from $74,800 at the 10th percentile to $193,120 at the 90th percentile — a $118,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $78,880, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $183,600. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

QA Engineer Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $78,880, while experienced professionals earn up to $183,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$78,880
+$20,880 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$125,120
+$33,120 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$183,600
+$48,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $74,800
25th Percentile $97,920
Median (50th) $122,400
75th Percentile $160,480
90th Percentile $193,120

QA Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Denver, CO
$108,000
Pop. 715,522
Fort Collins, CO
$102,600
Pop. 169,810
Aurora, CO
$101,700
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$97,200
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a QA Engineer in Boulder

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Boulder may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Boulder

Browse open qa engineer positions in Boulder, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Boulder

How much does a QA Engineer make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Boulder, Colorado is $122,400 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $74,800 (10th percentile) to $193,120 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $122,400, a qa engineer in Boulder earns approximately $59 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Boulder's median qa engineer salary of $122,400 is 20.4% above the Colorado state average of $101,700. 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 qa engineer salary of $122,400 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Boulder? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Boulder require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.