Salary Comparison

Program Manager Salary:
Denver, CO vs Phoenix, AZ

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

Denver, CO
$164,490
/ year
+20%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$136,621
/ year
Bottom line: Denver wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Denver
Phoenix
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$164,490✓ higher
$136,621
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$106,375✓ higher
$88,352
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$254,355✓ higher
$211,260
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$109,989✓ higher
$93,170
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$144,289✓ higher
$140,846
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$106,375✓ higher
$88,352
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$254,355✓ higher
$211,260

What if you move from Denver to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$27,869
20% decrease
Take-home change
$16,819
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$3,443
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

Denver, CO$164,490
P10: $106,375Median: $164,490P90: $254,355
Phoenix, AZ$136,621
P10: $88,352Median: $136,621P90: $211,260

More Program Manager salary comparisons

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

The median Program Manager salary in Denver, CO is $164,490/yr compared to $136,621/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Denver pays 20% more in gross terms.

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

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Denver salary has the purchasing power of $144,289/yr in a median-cost city, vs $140,846/yr for Phoenix. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

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

After estimated taxes, a Program Manager in Denver, CO takes home approximately $109,989/yr, vs $93,170/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.