Civil Engineer Salary

Denver vs Northglenn: Civil Engineer Salary (2026)

Compare civil engineer salaries between Denver, CO and Northglenn, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$107,464
$51.66/hr
Northglenn, CO
$92,267
$44.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, CONorthglenn, CO
Median Salary$107,464$92,267
Hourly Rate$51.66$44.36
Entry Level (P10)$81,006$65,156
25th Percentile$86,630$74,136
75th Percentile$138,581$118,102
Top Earner (P90)$171,484$143,015
Total Employed9,1309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($107,464) and Northglenn ($92,267) civil engineer salaries.DenverNorthglennMedian Salary$107,464$92,267Entry Level (P10)$81,006$65,156Top Earner (P90)$171,484$143,015US Median $103,492

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for civil engineers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northglenn.

The salary gap between Denver and Northglenn is $15,197 (16.47%). Denver's median is +3.84% compared to the US national median of $103,492.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $90,478,Northglenn spans $77,859. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$81,006
P25$86,630
Median$107,464
P75$138,581
P90 (Top)$171,484
Northglenn
P10 (Entry)$65,156
P25$74,136
Median$92,267
P75$118,102
P90 (Top)$143,015

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($101,590 effective) pays 15.61% more than Northglenn ($87,873 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $107,464
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $101,590
Northglenn
Nominal: $92,267
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $87,873

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($107,464/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($171,484)
  • Larger job market (9,130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $101,590)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Northglenn if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, civil engineer salaries in Denver grew 18.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.5% growth in Northglenn over the same period.

Denver, CO

+18.2%

$88,620 (2019) → $104,710 (2025)

Northglenn, CO

+-11.5%

$101,589 (2024) → $89,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays civil engineers more: Denver or Northglenn?

Denver has a higher median civil engineer salary at $107,464/year, compared to Northglenn at $92,267/year — a difference of $15,197 (16.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Northglenn?

Denver civil engineers earn $51.66/hr while Northglenn hygienists earn $44.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Northglenn as a civil engineer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Northglenn. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $101,590, Northglenn = $87,873), job availability (9,130 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level civil engineers earn in Denver vs Northglenn?

Entry-level (10th percentile) civil engineers earn $81,006 in Denver and $65,156 in Northglenn. The Denver area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JC

Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.

Career Analyst

Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, Ph.D.Data verified by Carlos Ramirez, M.S.

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.63% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov