Colorado

CompTIA Security+ Salary in Colorado

Colorado employers actively compete for CompTIA Security+ talent, driving salaries that often exceed national averages in key metro areas.

Remote work has transformed the certification salary landscape, allowing professionals to access higher-paying markets regardless of location.

Colorado Tech Ecosystem Overview

Colorado's Front Range corridor, stretching from Fort Collins through Denver to Colorado Springs, has established itself as a premier technology hub. Denver's tech scene rivals Austin and Seattle, with a strong presence from major employers including Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, Oracle, Arrow Electronics, and Charles Schwab. Boulder's startup ecosystem is one of the nation's most active per capita, spawning successes like Rally Software and SendGrid. Colorado Springs hosts significant military and defense operations (NORAD, US Space Command, Air Force Academy), creating robust demand for cleared IT professionals. The state's outdoor lifestyle, legal cannabis industry, and progressive culture attract tech talent from across the country, though rising housing costs have become a concern.

vs. National

+12% above national

Cost of Living

High

Top Earners

$148,000+

Salary by Experience Level

Entry Level

$65,000 - $80,000

0-2 years experience

Mid-Career

$85,000 - $105,000

3-5 years experience

Senior Level

$108,000 - $135,000

6-10 years experience

Top Earners

$148,000+

10+ years or management

City-by-City Salary Breakdown

Denver

State's largest tech market. Oracle, Arrow, diverse employers.

$78,000 - $98,000

average salary

Boulder

Startup capital. Google, Twitter offices. Highest CO salaries.

$82,000 - $102,000

average salary

Colorado Springs

Military and defense IT. NORAD, Space Command, Air Force.

$72,000 - $92,000

average salary

Fort Collins

HP/Broadcom legacy, CSU campus. Growing tech scene.

$70,000 - $86,000

average salary

Broomfield

Interlocken tech park. Oracle, CenturyLink/Lumen, Ball.

$76,000 - $94,000

average salary

Major Cities in Colorado

Denver
Colorado Springs
Boulder
Fort Collins

Salary by Industry in Colorado

Aerospace & Defense
+20-35% with clearances, Lockheed
Technology & SaaS
+15-25%, Denver/Boulder corridor
Financial Services
+10-15%, Charles Schwab, First Data
Telecommunications
+10%, CenturyLink/Lumen, Dish
Healthcare
At average, UCHealth, SCL Health
Energy & Cannabis Tech
+5-10%, emerging sectors
Government & Education
At average, USAFA, CU system
Other
Varies by sector

Top Employers Hiring CompTIA Security+

Lockheed Martin

USAFA

Oracle

CenturyLink

Career Growth in Colorado

Colorado's aerospace and defense sector offers unique career acceleration through clearance progression. Defense path: IT Support ($44K) → Security+ with Secret ($64K) → TS/SCI Cleared Engineer ($90K) → Space Systems IT Manager ($120K+). Tech startup path: IT Support ($46K) → DevOps Engineer ($72K) → Senior Engineer ($95K) → Engineering Director ($130K+). The space industry (Lockheed, Ball, United Launch Alliance) is a growing niche that commands premium salaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions About CompTIA Security+ in Colorado

How is the Denver tech job market?

Denver is one of the top 10 US tech markets, with strong demand across SaaS, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure. The combination of competitive salaries, outdoor lifestyle, and salary transparency makes it highly attractive for IT professionals.

Is Colorado Springs good for IT careers?

Excellent for defense and government IT. NORAD, US Space Command, and numerous defense contractors (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, L3Harris) create strong demand for cleared IT professionals. Security+ is effectively required.

How does Colorado cost of living affect IT salaries?

Denver and Boulder housing costs have risen significantly, now 10-20% above the national average. However, salaries have kept pace, and smaller cities like Fort Collins and Colorado Springs remain more affordable while offering competitive tech jobs.

CompTIA Security+ Salaries in Other Regions

California

$72,000+

Texas

$58,000+

Virginia

$68,000+

Maryland

$65,000+

Ready to Earn More with CompTIA Security+?

Start your certification journey today with our Smart Practice practice tests. Thousands have passed using PrepForCerts.

More CompTIA Security+ Resources