Technology Boulder, CO Pop. 105,673

Site Reliability Engineer Salary in Boulder, Colorado

The median site reliability engineer salary in Boulder, CO is $197,200 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median and 20.4% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$197,200
vs State Avg
+$33,350
vs National
+$52,200
Cost of Living
128%

Site Reliability Engineer Pay in Boulder: What to Expect (2026)

Boulder offers a median site reliability engineer salary of $197,200, which is $33,350 above the Colorado state average of $163,850. Compared to the national median of $145,000, 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 $197,200 salary has an effective purchasing power of approximately $154,063. Housing, transportation, and food costs in Boulder should be factored into any relocation or job-change decision.

The salary range for site reliability engineers in Boulder spans from $119,680 at the 10th percentile to $299,200 at the 90th percentile — a $179,520 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $125,120, while senior site reliability engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $285,600. With a population of 105,673, Boulder is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Site Reliability Engineer Salary in Boulder by Experience

In Boulder, an entry-level site reliability engineer earns around $125,120, while experienced professionals earn up to $285,600 per year. The local cost of living index is 128% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$125,120
+$33,120 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$201,280
+$53,280 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$285,600
+$75,600 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Boulder, CO

Percentile Boulder
10th Percentile $119,680
25th Percentile $156,400
Median (50th) $197,200
75th Percentile $251,600
90th Percentile $299,200

Site Reliability Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

How to Become a Site Reliability Engineer in Boulder

Education

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

Key Skills

LinuxKubernetesTerraformPythonMonitoring ToolsIncident Response

Job Outlook

Nationally, site reliability engineer employment is projected to grow 22% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Boulder may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Site Reliability Engineer Jobs in Boulder

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Frequently Asked Questions: Site Reliability Engineer Salary in Boulder

How much does a Site Reliability Engineer make in Boulder, CO? ▼
The median site reliability engineer salary in Boulder, Colorado is $197,200 per year, which is 36.0% above the national median of $145,000. Salaries range from $119,680 (10th percentile) to $299,200 (90th percentile).
How much does a Site Reliability Engineer make per hour in Boulder? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $197,200, a site reliability engineer in Boulder earns approximately $95 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Boulder compare to the Colorado state average for site reliability engineer pay? ▼
Boulder's median site reliability engineer salary of $197,200 is 20.4% above the Colorado state average of $163,850. 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 site reliability engineer salary of $197,200 in Boulder has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a site reliability engineer in Boulder? ▼
Most site reliability engineer positions in Boulder require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Linux, Kubernetes, Terraform, Python. The job market is projected to grow 22% nationally over the next decade.