Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Austin, TX vs Denver, CO

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Austin, TX
$159,546
/ year
-10%
difference
Denver, CO
$176,321
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Austin
Denver
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$159,546
$176,321✓ higher
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$103,178
$114,026✓ higher
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$246,710
$272,649✓ higher
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$107,006
$117,720✓ higher
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$142,452
$154,668✓ higher
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.12×✓ lower
1.14×
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$103,178
$114,026✓ higher
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$246,710
$272,649✓ higher

What if you move from Austin to Denver?

Gross salary change
+$16,775
10% increase
Take-home change
+$10,714
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
+$12,216
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Austin, TX$159,546
P10: $103,178Median: $159,546P90: $246,710
Denver, CO$176,321
P10: $114,026Median: $176,321P90: $272,649

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Program Manager earn more in Austin or Denver?

The median Program Manager salary in Austin, TX is $159,546/yr compared to $176,321/yr in Denver, CO. Denver pays 10% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Program Manager salary worth more in Austin or Denver after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Austin salary has the purchasing power of $142,452/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,668/yr for Denver. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Program Manager in Austin vs Denver?

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Austin, TX takes home approximately $107,006/yr, vs $117,720/yr in Denver, CO. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.