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

Teacher Salary in Denver: $72K Median

Teachers in Denver, CO earn between $54K and $112K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $65,140 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Teacher salary in Denver, CO is $71,654 per year — +10% above the US national median of $65,140. Salaries range from $53,691 (entry, 25th percentile) to $112,442 (90th percentile). Teachers in Denver earned approximately $17,914 in 2025, representing 300.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$71,654
+300.0% YoY · $5,971/mo
Entry
$49,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$93,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$112,442
Senior/lead
Teacher Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$72K
Colorado Springs
$65K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$72K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$75K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Teachers in Denver

Teachers educate students from kindergarten through grade 12 in subjects like mathematics, science, English, and social studies.

Core Responsibilities

  • Develop lesson plans aligned to standards
  • Deliver instruction
  • Assess student learning
  • Communicate with parents
  • Maintain classroom management

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree + teaching certification

In-demand certifications

State Teaching LicensePraxis examNational Board CertificationESL/Bilingual endorsement

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 Teachers

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

Public school districts (largest)
Charter schools
Private schools (NAIS)
Online K-12 (K12, Connections)

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 Teacher listings.

Special educationESL/ELLEdTech toolsSTEM/STEAMTrauma-informed teaching

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

lesson planningclassroom managementdifferentiated instructionCommon CoreIEPstudent engagementcurriculum development
Career Outlook
+1% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Teacher demand stable nationally with severe shortages in special education, ESL, math, and science. Many districts offer signing bonuses up to $10K.

Teacher Salary Breakdown — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$53,691$71,654$112,442
Monthly$4,474$5,971$9,370
Weekly$1,033$1,378$2,162
Hourly$26$34$54

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($65,140) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Teacher Take-Home Pay in Denver

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$55,553.813
Per month$4,629
Biweekly paycheck$2,137
Effective tax rate22.5%

Tax Breakdown on $71,654

Gross salary$71,654
Federal income tax−$7,465.88
Colorado state tax−$3,152.776
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,481.531
Take-home (net)$55,553.813

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.

Teacher Salary by Experience — Denver

Career-stage progression for Teachers in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$45,540
2–3 yr$49,500
4–6 yr$71,500
7–10 yr$93,500
11–15 yr$110,330
15+ yr$102,971

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

+300.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,914
2026 median:$71,654
Change:+$53,740

Education sector growth driven by demand for Special education and ESL/ELL.

Is This A Good Salary?

Livable middle-class

Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$62,308
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Teacher Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $68,242 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

Leverage Points

  • Step on the salary schedule: extra credentials, NBPTS certification, advanced degrees
  • High-need endorsements (special ed, ESL, math, science) often qualify for stipends
  • Years of credit transferred from another district or state
  • Title I / loan forgiveness eligibility and federal TEACH grant

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Signing bonus for shortage-area subjects ($2K-$10K)Tuition reimbursement and step credit for advanced degreesLoan forgiveness (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness)Pension eligibility and vesting timelineCoaching / department-chair / extracurricular stipends

What To Say

"With my [specialty] endorsement and master's, I should be placed at step X on the salary schedule. Can you also confirm the signing-bonus and loan-forgiveness eligibility in writing?"

Anchor on $94K–$112K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific Special education/ESL/ELL expertise.

Teacher Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Teacher salary in Denver, CO?
The average Teacher salary in Denver is $71,654 per year as of April 2026 — $5,971/month, $1,378/week, or about $34/hour. Salaries range from $53,691 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $112,442 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $71,654 a good Teacher salary in Denver?
Livable middle-class. Cost-adjusted, this is a workable middle-class salary. Budgeting matters - dual-income households fare materially better, and saving for a down payment will take discipline. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $71,654 a real purchasing power of approximately $62,308 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 $71,654 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 $71,654 salary supports a moderate lifestyle with careful budgeting.
Is $71,654 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 $71,654 salary is above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with reasonable budgeting.
Is $71,654 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $71,654 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most couples at this level need both partners working or significant lifestyle adjustments. Two earners at $71,654 each ($143,308 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $71,654 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 $71,654 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 Teacher in Denver?
On a $71,654 Teacher salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $55,553.813 per year ($4,629/month, $2,137 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $7,465.88, state $3,152.776, FICA $5,481.531. Effective tax rate: 22.5%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Teachers in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Teachers in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($65,140 nationally vs $71,654 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $62,308 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Teacher earn in Denver?
Entry-level Teachers in Denver typically start at around $49,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Teachers earn $93,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $112,442+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Teacher salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Teacher salaries in Denver grew approximately 300.0% year-over-year, from $17,914 in 2025 to $71,654 in 2026 (+$53,740). This reflects the broader Education sector's compensation trend, driven by Special education and ESL/ELL demand.
What's the job outlook for Teachers in Denver?
Teacher demand stable nationally with severe shortages in special education, ESL, math, and science. Many districts offer signing bonuses up to $10K. 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 Teachers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Teachers are: Special education, ESL/ELL, EdTech tools, STEM/STEAM, Trauma-informed teaching. 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 Teachers in Denver?
Top employers hiring Teachers in or near Denver include: Public school districts (largest), Charter schools, Private schools (NAIS), Online K-12 (K12, Connections). 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 Teacher salary in Denver?
With my [specialty] endorsement and master's, I should be placed at step X on the salary schedule. Can you also confirm the signing-bonus and loan-forgiveness eligibility in writing? Key leverage points for Education negotiations: Step on the salary schedule: extra credentials, NBPTS certification, advanced degrees; High-need endorsements (special ed, ESL, math, science) often qualify for stipends; Years of credit transferred from another district or state. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Signing bonus for shortage-area subjects ($2K-$10K), Tuition reimbursement and step credit for advanced degrees, Loan forgiveness (PSLF, Teacher Loan Forgiveness), Pension eligibility and vesting timeline.
How can I increase my Teacher salary in Denver?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Special education, ESL/ELL, EdTech tools) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., State Teaching License or Praxis exam). (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 Teacher in Denver?
Bachelor's degree + teaching certification 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 Education roles.

Methodology & Sources

Teacher salary figures for Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($65,140) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (300.0%) reflects the Education sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Denver

Teacher Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$75KPortland, OR$72KBaltimore, MD$72KSacramento, CA$70KColorado Springs, CO$65KMinneapolis, MN$72K

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