Salary Comparison

Security Engineer 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
$176,906
/ year
+18%
difference
Phoenix, AZ
$150,231
/ 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
$176,906✓ higher
$150,231
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$114,404✓ higher
$97,154
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$273,554✓ higher
$232,306
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$118,118✓ higher
$101,384
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$155,181✓ higher
$154,877
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.14×
0.97×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$114,404✓ higher
$97,154
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$273,554✓ higher
$232,306

What if you move from Denver to Phoenix?

Gross salary change
$26,675
18% decrease
Take-home change
$16,734
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$304
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$176,906
P10: $114,404Median: $176,906P90: $273,554
Phoenix, AZ$150,231
P10: $97,154Median: $150,231P90: $232,306

More Security Engineer salary comparisons

Denver vs New YorkDenver vs Los AngelesDenver vs ChicagoDenver vs HoustonDenver vs PhiladelphiaDenver vs San AntonioAll Security Engineer salaries →

Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a Security Engineer earn more in Denver or Phoenix?

The median Security Engineer salary in Denver, CO is $176,906/yr compared to $150,231/yr in Phoenix, AZ. Denver pays 18% more in gross terms.

▶Is a Security Engineer 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 $155,181/yr in a median-cost city, vs $154,877/yr for Phoenix. Denver offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a Security Engineer in Denver vs Phoenix?

After estimated taxes, a Security Engineer in Denver, CO takes home approximately $118,118/yr, vs $101,384/yr in Phoenix, AZ. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.