Mechanical Engineer Salary in Denver, CO: $131,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Denver, CO earns a median $131,923/year (≈ $63.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $124,712 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.1% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Denver, Colorado, mechanical engineers can expect to earn a median annual salary of $131,923 in 2026, a competitive figure that reflects both local demand and the influence of industries such as aerospace, automotive, and HVAC. This salary is significantly higher than the national median of $107,150, representing a 23.12% premium for professionals in the region. Salary ranges in Denver are diverse, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $77,066, while those in more senior roles can reach up to $173,780. These figures are drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, illustrating a robust market for mechanical engineers, particularly for those pursuing specialized roles such as HVAC and building systems, where obtaining a Professional Engineer (PE) license can bolster earning potential and job stability.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,066 | $37.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $101,479 | $48.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,923 | $63.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,164 | $74.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $173,780 | $83.55 |
Median Salary Position
23.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,714 (2026 est.). At $131,923, the local median is 23.12% above the national median of $107,150.
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How Denver Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Denver median: $131,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $111,704 | +18.10% more |
| National Average | $107,150 | +23.12% more |
Mechanical Engineers in Denver, CO earn a median of $131,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.12% higher than the national median of $107,150 and 18.10% above the Colorado state average of $111,704.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,923 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $124,712 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$95,300
2025 BLS Actual
$128,180
2026 Current Est.
$131,923
2019–2027 Growth
+42.5%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,300 | Actual |
| 2020 | $96,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $99,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $104,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $110,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $128,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $135,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 34.5% from $95,300 (2019) to $128,180 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $135,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,475 (42.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,066 – $101,479 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $101,479 – $131,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,923 – $154,164 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,164 – $173,780 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Denver
The local job market remains strong, with around 4,530 mechanical engineers currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index in Denver, which sits at 105.782, slightly above the national average, affects overall purchasing power. Employers in industries like aerospace and defense (Boeing, Lockheed Martin) and automotive (Tesla, Rivian) tend to offer the highest pay, benefiting from the region's push for innovation and technological advancement. The differential pay in this market can often be attributed to industry-specific demands, the added value of a PE license for roles in HVAC, and the appeal of equity packages offered by tech-adjacent firms. To maximize pay in Denver, mechanical engineers are encouraged to focus on building relevant experience, obtaining specialized certifications, and considering roles that offer equity alongside salary, particularly within the growing realms of aerospace and automotive engineering.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $128,180 for mechanical engineersin the Denver metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov