IT Security Analyst.
Denver.
$119,000
median salary, 8% above the national average
$89,000 to $160,000. Updated for 2026.
The numbers.
Everything you need to negotiate with confidence.
If you are evaluating a IT Security Analyst offer in Denver, CO, here is the reality: $89,000 to $160,000, with $119,000 as the midpoint. 8% above the national average. Analysts specializing in compliance frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS earn steady premiums in regulated industries. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
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How Denver compares
Denver, CO
$119,000
Cost of living: 8% above average
National Average
$110,000
Denver is $9,000 above
What you should know
The IT Security Analyst 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. Analysts specializing in compliance frameworks like SOC 2, HIPAA, or PCI-DSS earn steady premiums in regulated industries. Those who combine audit and assessment skills with hands-on vulnerability scanning and SIEM management command 15 to 20% above pure compliance roles. Government and defense contractors pay top rates for cleared analysts.
Help desk or junior IT staff start at $50,000 to $65,000, advancing to security analyst at $82,000 to $148,000 in three to five years. Senior security analysts earn $140,000 to $170,000, while security managers or directors of information security reach $175,000 to $240,000. 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. Annual bonuses of 8 to 12% are common, with certification reimbursement covering CompTIA Security+, CEH, and CISA exams. Some employers offer retention bonuses of $5,000 to $15,000 given the high turnover rate in security operations roles. 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 $119,000, 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 IT Security Analysts in Denver runs from $89,000 to $160,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Top industries in Denver
Negotiating in Denver
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.