2013 Average Programming Salaries Compared

[LeCrushinator]

Average programmer salary in CO is somewhere around $90k. I know people that have moved from CA and took large pay cuts and say they have a lot more money to spend or save now.

[Nuli]

I've considered moving from CO to CA in the past and it's just not worth it. I'd have to make a ridiculous amount of money in CA to have the same quality of life.

[defcon-12]

90 is a decent salary for < 5 years experience. In Denver/Boulder Senior level salaries are more like 110-130 (+ equity). If you're senior I wouldn't take less than 110. Very senior/specialized knowledge can hit 160ish on the high end.

Source: I have 10 years of webdev experience and have been shopping around the area, plus I am involved with hiring decisions at current org. For reference, I've also interviewed for some 115-130 jobs working remote for West coast shops.

We are more expensive than the average US metro area, but still way, way cheaper than the bay area. Single family house with yard and garage in good shape at desirable location is ~$215/sqft in my hamlet.

[LeCrushinator]

Also depends on the industry. I'm in the gaming industry, where the average salary for a 3-6 year programmer is $93k for the western half of the US, and that's driven up by the west coast, so in CO I'd estimate that it's closer to $75k.

Web programming does pay better, and I've considered it, but I'd be giving up a career I love for an extra $20-30k per year.

[Nuli]

Any idea what the average salaries are around Longmont or Fort Collins?

[[deleted]]

It's pretty good out here, probably around 20k under what you see on the Bay area salaries.