What the data says about mechanical engineer pay in Denver
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with CO, and with other jobs in Denver.
How Denver compares with United States and CO
Directly above Denver is San Francisco (US$161,370); directly below is Washington (US$126,990). The full range runs from US$99,500 in Jacksonville to US$168,030 in San Jose.
Denver is the only observed CO metro for this role, so there is no in-state average to compare; the national and metro ranking above is the better reference.
Is US$128,180 a good salary in Denver?
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$128,200).
Adjusting for prices does not move Denver in the ranking: it is 3rd of 21 on both cash and buying power.
After a simplified 15% effective national income tax, the median nets about US$9,100 a month. A modeled 1-bedroom (US$1,650) takes 18% of that, leaving around US$5,560 after modeled living costs.
Metros with a cost level like Denver
In New York — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$109,990 (-14% vs Denver), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,180 less each month.
A mechanical engineer moving from Denver to Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 3% to US$123,900, with US$280 less left over monthly in our model.
In Chicago — similar cost level, COL 100 — the median is US$102,070 (-20% vs Denver), and the modeled budget leaves US$1,690 less each month.
Mechanical Engineer vs other occupations in Denver
Lawyer is the best-paid tracked role in Denver at US$177,380; mechanical engineer comes 3rd of 9.
Closest neighbours in the Denver list: Software Engineer at US$137,610 (+7%) and Project Manager at US$116,740 (-9%).
How Denver ranks at the low and high end
The Denver market rewards seniority more than entry: the 90th percentile (US$168,850) ranks 9th of 21, but the 10th (US$74,880) only 13th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$217,530 at the 90th percentile, +29% against Denver.
Spread between low and high mechanical engineer pay in Denver
Pay is spread out: US$74,880 at the 10th percentile to US$168,850 at the 90th (2.3×). Level and setting matter more than the city average here.