Colorado's average project manager salary of $118,680 places it above Arizona ($105,310), Texas ($104,210), and Utah ($101,770), but below Washington ($127,580) and California ($124,430). For employers, this means Colorado is a mid-tier market regionally. If you are competing for candidates who have offers from Washington or California, expect to close a meaningful gap to win that talent.
Project manager salary in Colorado (2026)
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The average project manager salary in Colorado is $118,680 per year. A small pool of very high earners pulls that average upward, so the median of $110,050 gives employers a more reliable starting point for most hiring decisions. Colorado employs 32,390 project managers, and the $8,630 gap between the mean and median reflects real variation in the candidate pool you will be evaluating. Junior project managers in Colorado typically earn around $68,990, while senior specialists typically reach or exceed the $171,630 level at the 90th percentile. Plan for a range rather than a single number when budgeting for a project manager hire in Colorado, and anchor that range to the seniority and specialization of the role you are filling.
Metric / Value
Metric | Value |
Median Annual Salary | $110,050 |
Average Annual Salary | $118,680 |
vs. National Average | 7.2% above the national mean of $110,740 |
Data comes from the BLS OEWS and covers 32,390 employed project managers across Colorado.
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Project manager salary percentiles in Colorado
Percentile | Annual Salary |
10th Percentile | $68,990 |
25th Percentile | $85,010 |
75th Percentile | $136,990 |
90th Percentile | $171,630 |
Employers hiring mid-level project managers in Colorado should expect offers in the $85,010 to $136,990 range to be competitive for most candidates. Senior specialists with deep domain expertise typically reach $171,630 or beyond, so budget accordingly when the role demands that level of experience.
Project manager salary by city in Colorado
City | Average Annual Salary |
Boulder | $126,960 |
Denver | $120,640 |
Colorado Springs | $117,510 |
Fort Collins | $108,250 |
Greeley | $107,130 |
Location meaningfully affects what you will need to offer a project manager in Colorado, so build your compensation range around where the role is based. Boulder commands the highest average at $126,960, which is $19,830 more than Greeley's average of $107,130. If you are hiring in Denver, plan for an average of $120,640, which sits above the statewide mean.
How Colorado compares to other states
State | Average Annual Salary | Median Annual Salary |
Colorado | $118,680 | $110,050 |
Washington | $127,580 | $124,160 |
California | $124,430 | $120,910 |
Arizona | $105,310 | $99,050 |
Texas | $104,210 | $98,440 |
Utah | $101,770 | $96,720 |
Colorado sits in the middle of the regional market, making it a more cost-effective hiring environment than Washington or California but more expensive than Arizona, Texas, or Utah. Washington's mean of $127,580 and California's mean of $124,430 both exceed Colorado's $118,680, so employers competing for talent across state lines will need to account for that gap. Arizona, Texas, and Utah all come in below $106,000 on average, which gives Colorado-based employers a relative advantage when recruiting from those markets.
Frequently asked questions about project manager salary in Colorado
How does Colorado compare to other states for project manager salary?
What do the top-earning project managers make in Colorado?
Project managers at the 90th percentile in Colorado earn $171,630 per year. Roles at that level typically involve complex programs, large teams, or specialized industry expertise. Budget at or above that threshold when you are recruiting for a senior or principal-level position.
What is the salary range for a project manager in Colorado?
The full salary range for project managers in Colorado runs from $68,990 at the 10th percentile to $171,630 at the 90th percentile. The middle of the market sits between $85,010 at the 25th percentile and $136,990 at the 75th percentile. Use the 25th-to-75th range as your primary budgeting band and adjust toward the upper end for roles requiring more experience or specialization.
What is the average project manager salary in Colorado?
The average project manager salary in Colorado is $118,680 per year, which is 7.2% above the national mean of $110,740. The median of $110,050 is a more grounded benchmark for most hiring decisions, since a smaller group of higher-compensated roles pulls the average upward. Start your offer range at the median and move toward the mean or above for candidates with demonstrated senior-level experience.
Project Manager salary by state
Data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2025, SOC code 13-1082 (Project Management Specialists).
Disclaimer
Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide or be relied on for tax, accounting, or legal advice. You should consult your own tax, accounting, and legal advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.
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