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2026 Salary Data — Denver, CO
Updated April 28, 2026

Civil Engineer Salary in Denver: $105K Median

Civil Engineers in Denver, CO earn between $72K and $159K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $95,890 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Civil Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $105,479 per year — +10% above the US national median of $95,890. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $159,071 (90th percentile). Civil Engineers in Denver earned approximately $18,505 in 2025, representing 470.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$105,479
+470.0% YoY · $8,790/mo
Entry
$71,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$137,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$159,071
Senior/lead
Civil Engineer Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$105K
Colorado Springs
$96K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$105K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$110K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Civil Engineers in Denver

Civil engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects: roads, bridges, buildings, water systems, and more.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design infrastructure
  • Project management
  • Site inspection
  • Construction documents
  • Code compliance

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles

In-demand certifications

PE (Professional Engineer)LEEDPMPOSHA 30

Denver Job Market

Growing tech and aerospace hub with strong outdoor lifestyle appeal.

Population
716K
Cost of Living
115
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$575K

Top Industries in Denver

AerospaceTechEnergyFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Civil Engineers

Major employers active in Denver or hiring remotely from this metro.

AECOM
Bechtel
Jacobs
Kiewit
Skanska
state DOTs
municipal governments

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Civil Engineer listings.

BIM (Revit)Sustainability/LEEDClimate-resilient designSmart citiesDrone surveying

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

AutoCADCivil 3Dproject managementstructural analysisPE licenseLEEDRevitsite planning
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034.

Civil Engineer Salary Breakdown — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$71,500$105,479$159,071
Monthly$5,958$8,790$13,256
Weekly$1,375$2,028$3,059
Hourly$34$51$76

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($95,890) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Civil Engineer Take-Home Pay in Denver

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,861.4
Per month$6,488
Biweekly paycheck$2,995
Effective tax rate26.2%

Tax Breakdown on $105,479

Gross salary$105,479
Federal income tax−$14,907.38
Colorado state tax−$4,641.076
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$8,069.144
Take-home (net)$77,861.4

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Civil Engineer Salary by Experience — Denver

Career-stage progression for Civil Engineers in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$65,780
2–3 yr$71,500
4–6 yr$104,500
7–10 yr$137,500
11–15 yr$162,250
15+ yr$148,286

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Denver's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+470.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$18,505
2026 median:$105,479
Change:+$86,974

Engineering sector growth driven by demand for BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$91,721
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Civil Engineer Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $94,178 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

Leverage Points

  • PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly
  • Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects
  • Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base
  • Software-adjacent skills (Python, MATLAB, simulation, MLOps) raise the ceiling

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

PE license exam fees, study materials, review coursesRelocation package and temporary housingProject-completion or milestone bonusesPer-diem for site travel and field workTuition reimbursement for MS/PhD

What To Say

"With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus."

Anchor on $138K–$159K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific BIM (Revit)/Sustainability/LEED expertise.

Civil Engineer Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Civil Engineer salary in Denver, CO?
The average Civil Engineer salary in Denver is $105,479 per year as of April 2026 — $8,790/month, $2,028/week, or about $51/hour. Salaries range from $71,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $159,071 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $105,479 a good Civil Engineer salary in Denver?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $105,479 a real purchasing power of approximately $91,721 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $105,479 in Denver?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Denver specifically (median home price $575,000), a $105,479 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $105,479 enough for a single person in Denver?
A single adult in Denver typically needs ~$51,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $105,479 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $105,479 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $105,479 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $105,479 each ($210,958 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $105,479 enough for a family of 4 in Denver?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$126,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $105,479 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Denver. Childcare costs in Denver typically run $17K-$32K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Civil Engineer in Denver?
On a $105,479 Civil Engineer salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $77,861.4 per year ($6,488/month, $2,995 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $14,907.38, state $4,641.076, FICA $8,069.144. Effective tax rate: 26.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Civil Engineers in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Civil Engineers in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($95,890 nationally vs $105,479 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $91,721 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Civil Engineer earn in Denver?
Entry-level Civil Engineers in Denver typically start at around $71,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Civil Engineers earn $137,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $159,071+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Civil Engineer salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Civil Engineer salaries in Denver grew approximately 470.0% year-over-year, from $18,505 in 2025 to $105,479 in 2026 (+$86,974). This reflects the broader Engineering sector's compensation trend, driven by BIM (Revit) and Sustainability/LEED demand.
What's the job outlook for Civil Engineers in Denver?
Civil engineering growing 6% with $1.2T US infrastructure investment driving demand through 2034. Denver's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Civil Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Civil Engineers are: BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design, Smart cities, Drone surveying. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Denver.
Who are the top employers hiring Civil Engineers in Denver?
Top employers hiring Civil Engineers in or near Denver include: AECOM, Bechtel, Jacobs, Kiewit, Skanska, state DOTs. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Civil Engineer salary in Denver?
With my PE license and direct experience on [comparable project], market for this role is $X. I'd like base at that level plus a relocation package and project-completion bonus. Key leverage points for Engineering negotiations: PE license carries a clear pay premium (often 10-15%) - cite it explicitly; Project-specific experience: EV powertrain, semiconductor fab, infrastructure megaprojects; Per-diem, travel pay, and relocation are negotiable separately from base. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: PE license exam fees, study materials, review courses, Relocation package and temporary housing, Project-completion or milestone bonuses, Per-diem for site travel and field work.
How can I increase my Civil Engineer salary in Denver?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (BIM (Revit), Sustainability/LEED, Climate-resilient design) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., PE (Professional Engineer) or LEED). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Civil Engineer in Denver?
Bachelor's degree (ABET); PE for senior roles is the typical path. However, Denver's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Engineering roles.

Methodology & Sources

Civil Engineer salary figures for Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($95,890) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (470.0%) reflects the Engineering sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Denver

Mechanical Engineer →Electrical Engineer →

Civil Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$110KPortland, OR$105KBaltimore, MD$105KSacramento, CA$104KColorado Springs, CO$96KMinneapolis, MN$105K

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