AI Healthcare Data Engineer.
Denver.
$154,000
median salary, 10% above the national average
$116,000 to $196,000. Last updated April 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Healthcare Data Engineer offer in Denver, CO, here is the reality: $116,000 to $196,000, with $154,000 as the midpoint. 10% above the national average. Compensation reflects the specialized knowledge needed to work with healthcare data formats (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) and privacy regulations (HIPAA, HITECH). Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $139,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$100,000
to $123,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$131,000
to $162,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$169,000
to $200,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$193,000
to $239,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $66,000 to the total package.
Base
$154,000
Equity
$40,000
Bonus
$17,000
Signing
$9,000
Estimated total: $220,000
How Denver compares
Denver, CO
$154,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$140,000
Denver is $14,000 above
AI Healthcare Data Engineer salary by city
Salary by role in Denver
What you should know
The AI Healthcare Data Engineer landscape in Denver is not what most salary sites will tell you. Denver has emerged as a secondary tech hub with strong aerospace, telecom, and outdoor industry employers. The city attracts remote workers and relocating companies seeking lower costs than the coasts. Salaries have climbed steadily as national employers open satellite offices and compete for Denver's growing talent pool. Compensation reflects the specialized knowledge needed to work with healthcare data formats (HL7, FHIR, DICOM) and privacy regulations (HIPAA, HITECH). Engineers who can build compliant data pipelines that prepare clinical data for ML model training earn premiums. Experience with de-identification, data harmonization across health systems, and real-world evidence generation is highly valued.
Junior healthcare data engineers start at $90,000 to $110,000. Mid-level engineers building HIPAA-compliant ML data pipelines reach $130,000 to $158,000. Senior engineers designing enterprise health data platforms earn $165,000 to $200,000. Directors of health data engineering can reach $220,000 to $280,000 in total compensation. In Denver, cost of living sits near the national average, so the numbers you see are roughly what you keep.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity at health AI companies adds $15,000 to $60,000 annually. Bonuses of 10% to 18% are standard. Benefits often include comprehensive health coverage, continuing education stipends, and student loan repayment assistance. Some health systems offer pension benefits. And on the tax side: colorado has a flat 4.4% state income tax. Denver has no additional city income tax, making the overall tax burden lighter than most coastal metros. When someone quotes you $154,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Position yourself as a remote talent anchor. Many companies pay near coastal rates for Denver based employees to save on office costs while retaining top performers. The range for AI Healthcare Data Engineers in Denver runs from $116,000 to $196,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Product Manager in Denver earns $153,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Denver is Distinguished Engineer at $360,000
Common questions.
AI Healthcare Data Engineer salary in other cities
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