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

Security Engineer Salary in Denver: $156K Median

Security Engineers in Denver, CO earn between $102K and $258K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $142,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Security Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $156,200 per year — +10% above the US national median of $142,000. Salaries range from $101,530 (entry, 25th percentile) to $257,730 (90th percentile). Security Engineers in Denver earned approximately $25,194 in 2025, representing 520.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$156,200
+520.0% YoY · $13,017/mo
Entry
$121,836
0–2 years
Experienced
$206,184
5+ years
Top 10%
$257,730
Senior/lead
Security Engineer Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$156K
Colorado Springs
$142K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$156K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$163K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Security Engineers in Denver

Security engineers design and implement systems that protect organizations from cyber threats. They build secure infrastructure, perform threat modeling, and respond to incidents.

Core Responsibilities

  • Design secure infrastructure and architectures
  • Perform threat modeling and risk assessments
  • Implement zero-trust controls and EDR tooling
  • Lead incident response and forensics
  • Build security automation and tooling

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience)

In-demand certifications

CISSPSecurity+OSCPCEHCISMAWS Security Specialty

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 Security Engineers

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

CrowdStrike
Palo Alto Networks
Mandiant
Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Cloudflare
Okta

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 Security Engineer listings.

zero-trustcloud security (AWS/GCP)threat modelingEDR/XDRKubernetes securityAI security

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CISSPzero-trustthreat modelingEDRSIEMpenetration testingcloud securityIAMincident responseNIST
Career Outlook
+32% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles.

Security Engineer Salary Breakdown — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$101,530$156,200$257,730
Monthly$8,461$13,017$21,478
Weekly$1,953$3,004$4,956
Hourly$49$75$124

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($142,000) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Security Engineer Take-Home Pay in Denver

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$110,546.9
Per month$9,212
Biweekly paycheck$4,252
Effective tax rate29.2%

Tax Breakdown on $156,200

Gross salary$156,200
Federal income tax−$26,831
Colorado state tax−$6,872.8
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$11,949.3
Take-home (net)$110,546.9

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.

Security Engineer Salary by Experience — Denver

Career-stage progression for Security Engineers in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$112,089
2–3 yr$121,836
4–6 yr$164,010
7–10 yr$206,184
11–15 yr$243,297
15+ yr$231,957

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

+520.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$25,194
2026 median:$156,200
Change:+$131,006

Technology sector growth driven by demand for zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP).

Is This A Good Salary?

Excellent

Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$135,826
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Security Engineer Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $135,826 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

Leverage Points

  • Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies
  • Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved
  • Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation
  • Highlight in-demand skill premiums: LLMs, Kubernetes, Rust, distributed systems

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech)RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffsRemote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipendAnnual learning budget and conference allowanceSabbatical eligibility after 4-5 years

What To Say

"Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant?"

Anchor on $206K–$258K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific zero-trust/cloud security (AWS/GCP) expertise.

Security Engineer Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Security Engineer salary in Denver, CO?
The average Security Engineer salary in Denver is $156,200 per year as of April 2026 — $13,017/month, $3,004/week, or about $75/hour. Salaries range from $101,530 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $257,730 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $156,200 a good Security Engineer salary in Denver?
Excellent. Adjusted for local cost of living, this salary delivers top-tier real purchasing power - well above what the same nominal pay would buy in most US metros. Strong savings, home-buying, and discretionary spending are all realistic. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $156,200 a real purchasing power of approximately $135,826 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 $156,200 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 $156,200 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $156,200 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 $156,200 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $156,200 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $156,200 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $156,200 each ($312,400 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $156,200 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 $156,200 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — a family of 4 can afford this metro on a single Security Engineer income with prudent budgeting. Childcare costs in Denver typically run $17K-$32K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Denver?
On a $156,200 Security Engineer salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $110,546.9 per year ($9,212/month, $4,252 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $26,831, state $6,872.8, FICA $11,949.3. Effective tax rate: 29.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Security Engineers in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Security Engineers in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($142,000 nationally vs $156,200 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $135,826 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Security Engineer earn in Denver?
Entry-level Security Engineers in Denver typically start at around $121,836 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Security Engineers earn $206,184 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $257,730+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Security Engineer salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Security Engineer salaries in Denver grew approximately 520.0% year-over-year, from $25,194 in 2025 to $156,200 in 2026 (+$131,006). This reflects the broader Technology sector's compensation trend, driven by zero-trust and cloud security (AWS/GCP) demand.
What's the job outlook for Security Engineers in Denver?
Security engineer demand projected to grow 32% through 2034 — among the fastest in tech. Severe talent shortage with 700K+ unfilled US cybersecurity roles. 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 Security Engineers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Security Engineers are: zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling, EDR/XDR, Kubernetes security, AI security. 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 Security Engineers in Denver?
Top employers hiring Security Engineers in or near Denver include: CrowdStrike, Palo Alto Networks, Mandiant, Microsoft, Google, Amazon. 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 Security Engineer salary in Denver?
Based on levels.fyi data and what I'm seeing from comparable offers, total compensation for this level is closer to $X base plus equity. Can we close the gap on base or front-load the RSU grant? Key leverage points for Technology negotiations: Reference levels.fyi total compensation data for your level (L4/L5/etc.) at comparable companies; Quantify recent shipped impact: latency reduced, revenue driven, on-call incidents resolved; Hold a competing offer (or credible interview pipeline) before the salary conversation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Sign-on bonus ($25K-$100K is standard at Big Tech), RSU refreshers and accelerated vesting cliffs, Remote/hybrid flexibility and home-office stipend, Annual learning budget and conference allowance.
How can I increase my Security Engineer salary in Denver?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (zero-trust, cloud security (AWS/GCP), threat modeling) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CISSP or Security+). (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 Security Engineer in Denver?
Bachelor's degree + security certifications (or equivalent experience) 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 Technology roles.

Methodology & Sources

Security Engineer salary figures for Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($142,000) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (520.0%) reflects the Technology sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Denver

Cybersecurity Analyst →DevOps Engineer →Software Engineer →Data Scientist →Product Manager →Web Developer →

Security Engineer Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$163KPortland, OR$156KBaltimore, MD$156KSacramento, CA$153KColorado Springs, CO$142KMinneapolis, MN$156K

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