Expert Software Engineer salary in Boulder, CO
Based on 15 certified H-1B filings at DOL wage level IV in the Boulder, CO metro area, FY2025–FY2026. Includes Longmont, Lafayette, Louisville, Superior, Erie.
Also listed as: Software Developer, Software Development Engineer, SDE
Salary range
| Percentile | Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th | $222,539 |
| 25th | $222,539 |
| 50th (median) | $225,680 |
| 75th | $228,500 |
| 90th | $242,800 |
Salary by year
Median salary
Filings per year
Show as table
| Fiscal year | Median | P25 | P75 | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2020 | $145,974 | $135,000 | $163,600 | 25 |
| FY2021 | $154,032 | $141,908 | $168,938 | 30 |
| FY2022 | $155,000 | $139,360 | $169,200 | 37 |
| FY2023 | $150,197 | $145,787 | $178,000 | 23 |
| FY2024 | – | – | – | 5 |
| FY2025 | – | – | – | 9 |
| FY2026 | – | – | – | 6 |
Cost of living
Boulder's median expert Software Engineer salary of $225,680 is worth about $214,500 at national average prices.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (U.S. = 100; Boulder = 105.2).
Compared with all workers here
All Software Developers in the Boulder, CO area earned a median of $164,560 in May 2025 (7,130 employed). The H-1B median here is $225,680, 37% higher.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS metropolitan area estimates. BLS wages include some incentive pay; H-1B figures are base salary.
Employers filing at this level
Employers with at least 2 filings here. Median shown at 10+ filings.
By experience level
| Wage level | Median | Filings |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $110,000 | 43 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $152,100 | 93 |
| Senior · Level III | $185,869 | 31 |
| Expert · Level IV | $225,680 | 15 |
Median shown when a level has at least 10 filings.
Minimum H-1B salary by level
| Wage level | Prevailing wage (most common) | Median offered salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level · Level I | $101,670 | $110,000 | 43 |
| Mid-level · Level II | $141,960 | $152,100 | 93 |
| Senior · Level III | $185,869 | $185,869 | 31 |
| Expert · Level IV | $222,539 | $225,680 | 15 |
The prevailing wage is the minimum an employer must pay for this job and area. Amounts vary by county within a metro and by wage source.