Technology Fort Collins, CO Pop. 169,810

Software Engineer Salary in Fort Collins, Colorado

The median software engineer salary in Fort Collins, CO is $141,588 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median and 0.9% above the Colorado state average.

City Median
$141,588
vs State Avg
+$1,242
vs National
+$17,388
Cost of Living
106%

Software Engineer Pay in Fort Collins: What to Expect (2026)

Fort Collins offers a median software engineer salary of $141,588, which is $1,242 above the Colorado state average of $140,346. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Fort Collins pays above average for this role.

Fort Collins's cost of living is 106% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Fort Collins spans from $85,044 at the 10th percentile to $226,381 at the 90th percentile — a $141,337 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $88,920, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $210,900. With a population of 169,810, Fort Collins is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Software Engineer Salary in Fort Collins by Experience

In Fort Collins, an entry-level software engineer earns around $88,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $210,900 per year. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$88,920
+$10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$142,500
+$17,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$210,900
+$25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Fort Collins, CO

Percentile Fort Collins
10th Percentile $85,044
25th Percentile $111,948
Median (50th) $141,588
75th Percentile $180,348
90th Percentile $226,381

Software Engineer Salary in Other Colorado Cities

Boulder, CO
$168,912
Pop. 105,673
Denver, CO
$149,040
Pop. 715,522
Aurora, CO
$140,346
Pop. 386,261
Colorado Springs, CO
$134,136
Pop. 478,961

How to Become a Software Engineer in Fort Collins

Education

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

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Fort Collins may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Fort Collins

Browse open software engineer positions in Fort Collins, CO:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Fort Collins

How much does a Software Engineer make in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Fort Collins, Colorado is $141,588 per year, which is 14.0% above the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $85,044 (10th percentile) to $226,381 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Fort Collins? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $141,588, a software engineer in Fort Collins earns approximately $68 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Fort Collins compare to the Colorado state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Fort Collins's median software engineer salary of $141,588 is 0.9% above the Colorado state average of $140,346. The local cost of living index is 106% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Fort Collins, CO? ▼
Fort Collins has a cost of living index of 106% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $141,588 in Fort Collins has less purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Fort Collins? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Fort Collins require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.