Denver has emerged as one of the fastest growing technology hubs in the United States. With top technology companies like Google, Twitter, Oracle and Zillow opening offices here, and a thriving startup scene, Denver offers a wealth of high-paying job opportunities for technology professionals.
In this article, we will highlight 7 of the highest paying tech jobs in Denver, providing average salaries, responsibilities, and requirements for each role. We‘ll also offer advice on how to break into these careers, whether through formal education, certificates, or internships.
Why Denver is Becoming a Magnet for Tech Talent
Denver boasts an impressive combination of factors that make it exceptionally attractive for technology professionals:
- A significantly lower cost of living compared to traditional tech hubs like San Francisco and New York
- 300 days of annual sunshine perfect for an active, outdoor-loving workforce
- A vibrant cultural scene with professional sports teams, music and arts festivals, craft breweries, and dining
- Some of the shortest average commute times of any major US city
- A business-friendly environment and reasonable tax rates
For these reasons and more, Denver ranks highly on lists of the best places for tech workers to live and launch their careers. Major companies are taking notice and opening new offices, while startups and venture capital funding continue rising steadily.
This growth is fueling strong demand for skilled technology workers and some of the country‘s highest tech salaries. Here are 7 of the top-paying tech jobs in Denver right now.
1. Data Scientist: $129,092 Average Salary
Data scientists are one of the most in-demand and highest compensated roles within the technology industry. These highly analytical professionals apply specialized skills in statistics, programming, data mining, modeling, visualization, and machine learning to extract powerful insights from data.
According to payscale.com, the average salary for a data scientist in Denver is $129,092 per year. Companies across industries like finance, healthcare, retail, and technology compete fiercely for qualified data scientists to help inform strategic decisions through advanced analytics.
What Does a Data Scientist Do?
Typical data scientist responsibilities include:
- Collecting structured and unstructured data from diverse sources
- Cleaning and organizing data to prepare it for analysis
- Running advanced analytics leveraging statistical and machine learning techniques
- Developing models to identify patterns, predict outcomes, or optimize processes
- Visualizing data and presenting findings to key stakeholders in the business
- Automating analysis through the development of dashboards, applications, and tools
- Staying up-to-date on the latest data science and analytics methodologies
Becoming a Data Scientist
Breaking into this highly competitive field requires the right combination of education, technical expertise, and business acumen. Typical requirements include:
- A master‘s degree or PhD in data science, statistics, computer science, or a quantitative field
- Proficiency in programming languages like Python and R
- Working knowledge of machine learning platforms like TensorFlow
- Understanding of statistical and modeling techniques
- Communication and presentation abilities to contextualize insights for business leaders
For those looking to transition into data science, many graduate programs offer flexible online options that can be completed in 1-2 years while working full time. Coursework ranges from database management and statistical analysis to machine learning and deep learning applications.
2. Machine Learning Engineer: $132,715 Average Salary
Closely related to data scientists, machine learning engineers focus more narrowly on developing and implementing artificial intelligence systems. As machine learning adoption continues accelerating across industries, demand for specialized machine learning engineering talent keeps rising.
Machine learning engineers in Denver earn an average salary of $132,715 according to Indeed.com. Their specialized expertise in machine learning frameworks, languages, and models makes them invaluable in building next-generation AI solutions.
What Does a Machine Learning Engineer Do?
Everyday responsibilities of a machine learning engineer include:
- Understanding business challenges where machine learning can drive enhanced insights, predictions or process automation
- Selecting appropriate data sets to train machine learning models
- Testing and iterating on different AI model architectures like neural networks
- Programming and training models using libraries like TensorFlow and PyTorch
- Deploying models into production through web services like AWS SageMaker
- Monitoring and maintaining systems to ensure expected model performance over time
- Staying on top of advancements in machine learning and deep learning research to guide solution development
Becoming a Machine Learning Engineer
Transitioning into this exciting career requires a foundation in several key skill areas:
- Proficiency in programming languages like Python, Java, C++ for model development
- Experience with machine learning frameworks such as TensorFlow, SciKit-Learn, Apache Spark, etc.
- Knowledge of AI and neural network fundamentals
- Understanding of cloud platforms to deploy models at scale
- A strong grasp of mathematics, statistics, and predictive modeling
A graduate degree specifically focused on machine learning or data science helps provide this broad base of knowledge, but motivated professionals can also get started through certificate programs, online courses, and hands-on coding and modeling practice.
3. Software Architect: $141,454 Average Salary
Software architects are technical leaders who make high-level design choices to meet software requirements while optimizing quality, scalability, extensibility and other critical system attributes. They collaborate closely with product managers, engineers, and key stakeholders to turn concepts into robust real-world solutions.
With an average salary of $141,454 according to Dice.com, experienced software architects earn some of the highest wages within Denver‘s technology ecosystem. Their specialized expertise in translating broad solution objectives into pragmatic software designs makes them invaluable.
What Does a Software Architect Do?
Day-to-day software architect responsibilities include:
- Gathering solution requirements from business leaders and product managers
- Analyzing how software capabilities will integrate with existing infrastructure
- Performing technical evaluations of potential tools, frameworks, cloud services etc.
- Developing models, diagrams, flows, prototypes and specifications to detail software structure and behavior
- Communicating recommended designs to engineers for implementation
- Evaluating finished products to ensure adherence to specifications and intended solution behavior
Software architects need a big picture perspective encompassing user needs, business priorities, system interactions, current technologies, and industry trends.
Becoming a Software Architect
Reaching the software architect level typically takes years progressing through roles as a developer, technical lead, and finally architect. Key foundation blocks for aspiring architects include:
- Hands-on experience leading software development initiatives and teams
- Broad knowledge spanning multiple programming languages, frameworks, cloud platforms, databases etc.
- Sharp analytical abilities to systematically break solutions down into optimal components
- Strong communications skills to explain recommendations and influence decisions
- A passion for staying on top of emerging technologies shaping industry practices
Many colleges offer bachelor‘s or master‘s degrees specifically focused on software architecture. Courses explore areas like advanced systems design, product analytics, DevOps culture, IoT solutions, etc. But real-world development expertise is equally if not more important.
4. DevOps Engineer: $128,859 Average Salary
DevOps engineers oversee code releases, system upgrades, integrations, and other processes to optimize speed, performance, reliability, and security as development teams rapidly iterate. They introduce and manage modern IT practices for efficient software delivery.
According to Indeed.com, DevOps engineers in Denver earn an average salary of $128,859. Their niche at the intersection of development and IT operations makes them invaluable as organizations strive for agility.
What Does a DevOps Engineer Do?
DevOps engineers are key facilitators effective software development through:
- Implementing version control systems for source code management
- Introducing infrastructure as code techniques using templates and scripts
- Automating build, test, and deployment processes through CI/CD pipelines
- Provisioning and configuring cloud infrastructure
- Instrumenting systems to monitor application and system health
- Analyzing metrics and logs to detect performance issues or bugs
- Promoting cultural change through agile workflows and a shared responsibility mindset
They occupy a unique middle ground bridging the goals and practices of both developers and IT teams.
Becoming a DevOps Engineer
Great DevOps engineers draw from a cross-disciplinary skillset including:
- Proficiency writing infrastructure as code through YAML, Terraform, CloudFormation etc.
- Working knowledge of scripting languages like PowerShell, Bash etc.
- Familiarity administering Linux systems and networking
- Understanding of container orchestration through Docker, Kubernetes etc.
- Experience setting up continuous integration / continuous delivery pipelines
- Familiarity working in and promoting agile operational cultures
While no set path leads to becoming a DevOps engineer, they often start on one side as a system admin or software engineer and gradually grow their competencies spanning both domains through internal transfers, external hiring, formal training, or self-guided education.
5. Cybersecurity Engineer: $132,519 Average Salary
With data breaches regularly making headline news, cybersecurity expertise has become mission critical. Cybersecurity engineers implement firewalls, threat detection systems, access controls, encryption, and other protections while tirelessly hunting for vulnerabilities.
These highly skilled professionals earn a handsome living protecting sensitive systems and data. According to Payscale, cybersecurity engineers in Denver report an average salary of $132,519.
What Does a Cybersecurity Engineer Do?
Typical cybersecurity engineer responsibilities include:
- Performing risk assessments encompassing networks, systems, policies, and human vulnerabilities
- Designing and implementing layered defenses through tools like firewalls and intrusion prevention systems
- Monitoring systems for anomalies which could indicate malicious activity
- Executing penetration testing simulating attacks against known exposures
- Simulating phishing attempts to improve employee awareness
- Researching emerging threats like ransomware and evolving regulatory requirements
- Configuring security platforms and writing custom scripts when needed
They serve as an organization‘s frontline guardians against cyberattack.
Becoming a Cybersecurity Engineer
Success as a cybersecurity engineer depends on several interconnected abilities:
- A vigilant, threat-hunting mentality
- Deep familiarity administering Linux, Windows Server and networking gear
- Hands-on experience securing clouds like AWS, Azure and Google Cloud
- Broad awareness of attack techniques, threat intelligence and countermeasures
- Sharp critical thinking to connect dots hiding subtle attacks
- Exceptional communication skills to influence security best practices
Many cybersecurity engineers start by earning well-recognized certifications like the CompTia Security+ or EC Council‘s Certified Ethical Hacker. Hands-on system and network administration roles also offer great foundations to pivot into cybersecurity specialization.
6. Full-Stack Developer: $126,010 Average Salary
While specialized engineering roles continue proliferating, full-stack developers maintain enduring value. Their ability to help build products end-to-end – from database to front-end code and everything between – makes them a versatile asset.
With an average salary of $126,010 according to Dice.com, full-stack expertise clearly pays off in Denver‘s job market where new solutions must be designed, built, and maintained by nimble teams.
What Does a Full-Stack Developer Do?
Full-stack developers can seamlessly flow across projects spanning:
- Database design, administration and optimization
- API and back-end services development in languages like JavaScript, Python, Java etc.
- Front-end programming focusing on user interactions through frameworks like React and Angular
- Web development encompassing layout, accessibility, SEO etc.
- Release management from testing to security considerations to production launches
- Performance monitoring, troubleshooting and issue resolution
Their wide perspective and multifaceted skillset allows them to architect well-rounded solutions.
Becoming a Full-Stack Developer
While some developers arrive at full-stack through generalist computer science educations, most grow into it through layered experience including:
- Back-end development focusing on servers, databases, APIs and related logic
- Front-end specialization building mobile/web interfaces and UX
- DevOps engineering centered on automation, monitoring and collaboration
- Agile team experience shipping solutions
Integrating exposure across domains prepares full-stack developers to smoothly engage anywhere their diverse talents add value to product builds.
7. Cloud Solutions Architect: $127,703 Average Salary
As cloud platforms like AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud transform technical landscapes, cloud architects have become hugely influential. They determine how systems integrate with cloud services under the hood to meet business needs cost-effectively while future-proofing solutions.
With an average salary of $127,703 according to Dice.com, these sought-after strategists command substantial compensation for navigating organizations through wide-reaching cloud transformations and migrations.
What Does a Cloud Solutions Architect Do?
Everyday cloud architect responsibilities include:
- Evaluating organizational infrastructure and application readiness for cloud migrations
- Determining optimal cloud architectures aligned to business priorities, budgets and timelines
- Performing costs/benefits analysis around different provider services
- Outlining how system components will integrate with selected cloud platforms
- Developing open API ecosystems to prevent cloud vendor lock-in
- Identifying workflows and data requiring special handling under shared responsibility models
- Leading implementations encompassing security controls, network connectivity, workload provisioning and more
They serve as indispensable guides influencing critical cloud adoption decisions.
Becoming a Cloud Solutions Architect
Because specialized cloud expertise sits atop broader technical competencies, common stepping stones toward becoming a cloud architect include:
- Administrator experience managing systems, databases, networks etc.
- Software engineering roles developing back-end, front-end, full-stack etc.
- Infrastructure design and implementation across on-prem and cloud
- Enterprise architecture focused on technical integrations, data flows etc.
- Direct cloud platform experience through an AWS, Azure or Google Cloud administrator or engineer position
Many cloud architects also pursue credentials like the AWS Certified Solutions Architect to validate expertise. But hands-on cloud administration and architectural experience remain most important.
How to Pick Your Path Into These Lucrative Tech Roles
While formal education like college degrees set learning foundations across core computing topics, practical experience transforming knowledge into working systems often matters more in hiring. Ambitious technology professionals have options to gain this through:
Internships – Tech internships let students or career changers gain real-world experience, often converting into full-time job offers. These short-term commitments also help interns determine if roles suit their interests and strengths.
Entry-Level Tech Positions – Starting in associate engineer, analyst, administrator or related roles builds hands-on abilities and industry connections which open doors to specialization.
Certification Programs – Certificates directly validate capabilities in areas like cloud, cybersecurity, data science etc. Prepping for exams also builds valuable skills.
Online Courses and Coding Bootcamps – Self-guided online learning through platforms like Coursera, Udemy etc. allows customized skill-building around personal schedules and budgets. Coding bootcamps offer intensive, structured skill development through project-based learning.
Technology offers limitless career opportunities for those eager to learn specialized tools and techniques. While reaching senior roles like architect can take years, every step builds know-how converting into higher compensation and exciting challenges. So chart your course and start your tech journey today!
Summary Table: Top-Paying Tech Jobs in Denver
| Job Title | Average Salary | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Data Scientist | $129,092 | Apply statistical and machine learning techniques to extract insights from data |
| Machine Learning Engineer | $132,715 | Develop AI systems leveraging neural networks and advanced algorithms |
| Software Architect | $141,454 | Design high-level software blueprints guiding engineering implementation |
| DevOps Engineer | $128,859 | Streamline software development and IT processes through automation and collaboration |
| Cybersecurity Engineer | $132,519 | Safeguard systems, data and users through layered defenses |
| Full-Stack Developer | $126,010 | Build complete solutions encompassing databases, back-end logic, and front-end UX |
| Cloud Solutions Architect | $127,703 | Determine optimal integrations with cloud platforms to meet business needs |
