Data: Glassdoor; Note: Rank includes 65 metro areas with at least 1,000 salary submissions; Chart: Axios Visuals
One reason Denver is a magnet for younger workers: A pretty good paycheck.
State of play: San Francisco, Seattle and New York have some of the highest early-career salaries overall, but Denver is on the map as a place to get a foot in the corporate door.
By the numbers: Average early-career wages in Denver rose 5.1% a year between 2020 and October 2025 to $73,700, according to a new Glassdoor report.
The increases ranked 10th among major U.S. cities.
The intrigue: Colorado Springs saw slower growth at 4.3% and smaller starting salaries at $64,660.