2026 Office Manager Salary in Colorado Springs: $45,000-$80,000 (2026)

Colorado Springs sits slightly above the national cost baseline (index ~102). For an office manager earning the local average (~$60k), housing is the biggest margin-taker: 1-bedroom rents commonly range $1,200–$1,450 and 2-bedrooms $1,500–$2,000 depending on neighborhood (Old Colorado City and downtown command premium rents).

Commuting costs vary — many office managers commute 10–30 miles; average monthly fuel and vehicle costs of $150–$300 are common, with additional parking or tolls for downtown employers. Groceries and utilities align closely with national rates, but housing pushes discretionary spending down: single-earner households may need to budget tightly for childcare or saving.

However, lifestyle affordability is positive for those leveraging nearby lower-cost suburbs (Pueblo or Fountain) or employer benefits like commuter stipends, remote-flex schedules, and employer-subsidized health plans which substantially improve net purchasing power.

Salaries reflect a balanced market: defense and aerospace contractors (Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and multiple subcontractors) and large military installations create steady demand for experienced office managers who can handle security-cleared admin, vendor coordination, and contract documentation. Healthcare systems (UCHealth / Penrose) and educational institutions (UCCS) add openings that value compliance, benefits administration, and multi-site coordination.

Tourism and hospitality inflate entry-level roles seasonally but pay less. The city’s moderate COL keeps base salaries lower than Denver but higher than Pueblo.

Recent local economic trends — moderate population growth, continued defense contracting, and expanding outpatient healthcare — have produced steady hiring rather than the boom seen in front-range tech hubs. Employers often trade higher base pay for stronger benefits (healthcare, tuition assistance) and schedule flexibility.

Denver offers higher base pay (~$68k) but a substantially higher COL (index ~120); commutable distances are long and traffic can negate higher nominal pay unless employers offer hybrid work. Fort Collins pays roughly $65k with a COL closer to Denver’s—good for those tied to northern Colorado employers.

Pueblo shows lower salaries (~$50k) with a COL around 90; it can be a cost-effective commute option for remote-capable office managers or those willing to trade salary for lower housing costs. Relocate to Denver if you need faster career progression in corporate tech/finance and can absorb housing costs.

Consider living in Colorado Springs (or nearby lower-cost towns) and commuting or negotiating remote weeks when your employer allows it. For many office managers, hybrid arrangements (2–3 days onsite) are the optimal tradeoff between salary and living costs.

Typical progression: entry-level office coordinator (0–2 years, ~$38k–$45k) → office manager (3–7 years, ~$55k–$65k) → senior office/operations manager or executive assistant to C-suite (8+ years, $70k–$90k depending on sector). In Colorado Springs, acceleration comes from industry specialization (defense contract administration, healthcare compliance, or university administration) and clearance eligibility — holding a security clearance often adds 10–20% to compensation.

Cross-training in HR/benefits administration, office systems (Microsoft 365, Salesforce, MS Teams), and basic project management (CAPM or PMP elements) speeds promotion. Demonstrable cost savings initiatives (vendor consolidation, lease negotiation) and leading multi-site administrative teams are tangible levers local employers reward.

Networking with HR at major employers and active participation in regional associations (e. g.

, Pikes Peak SHRM) also boosts visibility and internal promotion chances.

Ask for a salary band rather than a single number; reasonable negotiation ranges: entry $42k–$48k, mid $55k–$68k, senior $72k–$85k depending on sector. Use local comparables (Lockheed or UCHealth job postings) and mention security clearance or advanced administrative certifications to justify higher offers.

If base pay is constrained, negotiate for commuter/parking stipends, flexible/hybrid schedules, professional development funding, additional PTO, or enhanced health/dental contributions — these are common in Colorado Springs employers and can add 8–12% value. For defense-related roles, emphasize clearance status and experience with contract files; for healthcare, highlight HIPAA, EMR scheduling experience, and credentialing.

Be direct about housing pressures (rent levels) when asking for relocation assistance or signing bonuses; smaller employers often prefer one-time relocation or bonus payments to permanent raises.