Cost of hiring a marketing specialist in Denver-Aurora, CO
Marketing specialists earn more in Denver-Aurora than anywhere else in Colorado. Expect a median of $99,040 a year[1], 6.4% above the Colorado statewide median of $93,050 and 25.7% above the US median of $78,760. Only 5 of 516 US areas pay more for this job. With about 17,000 marketing specialists, 61% of the Colorado total, no area in Colorado employs more.
BLS occupation 13-1161, area Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Denver-Aurora against Colorado and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora, CO | $51,980 | $99,040 | $167,560 | |
| Colorado | $48,900 | $93,050 | $165,190 | |
| United States | $43,390 | $78,760 | $155,480 |
The middle half of marketing specialists in Denver-Aurora earns $70,310–$129,570. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $167,560, only 3.2 times the bottom tenth, against 3.6 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read.
What to budget for a marketing specialist here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,980 | $4,332 | $24.99 | $74,257 |
| 25th percentile | $70,310 | $5,859 | $33.80 | $100,443 |
| Median | $99,040 | $8,253 | $47.62 | $141,486 |
| 75th percentile | $129,570 | $10,798 | $62.29 | $185,100 |
| 90th percentile | $167,560 | $13,963 | $80.56 | $239,371 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $30,530 a year in pay and about $43,614 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $28,730 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
What a hire really costs in Denver-Aurora
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2], which adds about $42,446 to the $99,040 median and brings it to $141,486 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for marketing specialists we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Other roles in Denver-Aurora
Of the 17 roles we track in Denver-Aurora, this one ranks #3 by median pay. Project Coordinator is the highest at $116,740 and Virtual Receptionist the lowest at $43,680.
| Role | Median | vs marketing specialist | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +17.9% | 20,710 | |
| Accountant | +1.0% | 22,720 | |
| Marketing Specialist | this role | 17,000 | |
| Recruiter | -16.6% | 12,520 | |
| Sales Development Representative | -18.6% | 24,480 | |
| Paralegal | -18.7% | 3,740 | |
| Office Manager | -20.1% | 14,710 | |
| Executive Assistant | -31.3% | 5,930 | |
| Payroll Specialist | -34.6% | 1,580 | |
| Bookkeeper | -41.9% | 14,100 | |
| HR Assistant | -43.4% | 950 | |
| E-commerce Order Specialist | -49.7% | 1,320 | |
| Administrative Assistant | -49.8% | 15,350 | |
| Customer Support Specialist | -50.9% | 23,560 | |
| Medical Administrative Assistant | -51.7% | 5,980 | |
| Data Entry Specialist | -54.7% | 680 | |
| Virtual Receptionist | -55.9% | 5,480 |
Other areas in Colorado
Across the 10 areas of Colorado with data for this job, the median runs from $63,640 in Grand Junction to $99,040 in Denver-Aurora, a gap of $35,400 a year.
| Area | Median | vs Denver-Aurora | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora, CO | this area | 17,000 | |
| Boulder, CO | -1.5% | 3,130 | |
| Colorado Springs, CO | -8.9% | 2,680 | |
| Greeley, CO | -13.3% | 780 | |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | -25.0% | 1,610 | |
| Northwest Colorado (Nonmetro) | -26.3% | 740 | |
| Pueblo, CO | -29.3% | 270 |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a marketing specialist in Denver-Aurora, CO?
About $141,486 a year at the median, or $11,790 a month: $99,040 in pay plus benefits and payroll taxes at the 30% share of total compensation in US private industry (June 2026). Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What is the pay range for marketing specialists in Denver-Aurora?
The median was $99,040 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $51,980, the 90th $167,560, and the middle half earned $70,310 to $129,570.
Is Denver-Aurora the most expensive area in Colorado for marketing specialists?
Yes. Its median of $99,040 is the highest of 10 areas in Colorado. Boulder comes next at $97,600.
How many marketing specialists work in Denver-Aurora?
BLS counts about 17,000 in the May 2025 survey. That is 61% of the Colorado total of 27,880.
Does a marketing specialist cost more than a recruiter in Denver-Aurora?
Yes: $16,490 a year more at the median. The medians are $99,040 and $82,550.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1161: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes131161.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-06.