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High School Teacher Salary in Denver, Colorado

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$76,079/ year

Median High School Teacher in Denver, CO

$48,019
10th
$58,560
25th
$76,079
Median
$97,600
75th
$119,072
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$76,079
Total compensation (est.)
$87,491
Bonus range
$2,400 – $9,600
Mean salary
$80,644

How This Compares

Denver, CO median
$76,079
Colorado median
$63,607+19.6%
National median
$62,360+22.0%

Cost of living in Denver is 22% above the national average. Salary of $76,079 here is equivalent to $62,360 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$54,777-28.0%
3-5 years
$69,232-9.0%
6-10 years
$85,208+12.0%
10+ years
$104,989+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$66,950-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$76,079
Enterprise (5,000+)
$89,773+18.0%

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High School Teacher Salaries in Nearby Cities

Colorado Springs, CO$62,360/yr
Aurora, CO$62,360/yr
Fort Collins, CO$62,360/yr
Lakewood, CO$62,360/yr
Thornton, CO$62,360/yr

Related Jobs in Denver

Elementary School Teacher$75,506/yr
Special Education Teacher$75,420/yr
School Counselor$75,945/yr
University Professor$102,944/yr
Instructional Designer$95,148/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$37/hr
Monthly gross$6,340/mo
25th percentile$58,560/yr
75th percentile$97,600/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Colorado Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.8%-0.10

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

High School Teacher Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average High School Teacher salary in Denver?

The median High School Teacher salary in Denver is $76,079 per year, with a range from $58,560 at the 25th percentile to $97,600 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does High School Teacher pay in Denver compare to the national average?

High School Teacher salaries in Denver are 22% above the national median of $62,360. After adjusting for Denver's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $62,360 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect High School Teacher salaries in Denver?

In Denver, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level High School Teacher roles start around $48,019, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $119,072 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Denver a good place for High School Teacher jobs?

Denver offers a High School Teacher median of $76,079, which is 22% above the US median of $62,360. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Denver is 22% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher High School Teacher salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for High School Teacher in Denver is $97,600, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.