Cloud Architect Hourly Pay in Fort Collins, CO: $70.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a cloud architect working in Fort Collins, CO runs $70.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $146,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1241). Weighted against Fort Collins's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.1, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $69.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $87,715 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Cloud architects in Fort Collins enjoy an hourly median pay of $70.28, which is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $71.55. This competitive compensation reflects the growing demand for skilled professionals in various settings such as tech firms, consulting agencies, and enterprise IT departments. Part-time roles, typically involving three days a week, offer a unique opportunity for those in this field to navigate their schedules while still earning a substantial income. For cloud architects, the hourly range ranges from $36.64 for entry-level positions up to $104.44 for experienced top earners, showcasing the potential for significant earnings as expertise grows. This insight is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Cloud Architect Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36.64 | $293.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55.06 | $440.48 |
| Median (P50) | $70.28 | $562.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88.39 | $707.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104.44 | $835.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Collins
Based on $70.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $70.28/hr, a cloud architect working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Collins, CO can expect to earn approximately $146,191 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $84,341. With a cost-of-living index of 101.13 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fort Collins.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Collins
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,811.37 | $12,183 | $146,191 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,686.82 | $7,310 | $87,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $1,124.55 | $4,873 | $58,477 |
Compare CA Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Cloud Architect (Fort Collins) | $70.28 |
| Computer Network Architect (National Avg) | $64.25 |
| Software Developer (National Avg) | $64.54 |
| Information Security Analyst (National Avg) | $60.41 |
| DevOps Engineer (National Avg) | $59.66 |
Cloud Architects in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $146,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.76% lower than the national median of $148,828 and 0.50% above the Colorado state average of $145,480.
Cloud Architect Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $70.28/hr = $87,715/year (purchasing power: $86,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $146,191/year (purchasing power: $144,561).
CoL index: 101.128 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$49.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$68.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$70.28/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Cloud Architects in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.80% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $53.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $49.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $59.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $61.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $65.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $68.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for cloud architects in Fort Collins grew 37.4% from $49.76/hr (2019) to $68.37/hr (2025). At a 2.80% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $72.25/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem cloud architects can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.80% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Cloud Architect in Fort Collins
In terms of annual earnings, a cloud architect working part-time at 24 hours per week can take home around $87,160, compared to their full-time counterparts, who typically earn more. The flexibility of per-diem and contract work is attractive, with many 1099 cloud architects billing between $150 and $280 per hour. Highly specialized roles, such as those focused on FinOps consulting, can command even higher rates of $200 to $400 hourly, especially in enterprise environments. Hourly rates generally vary across different employers in Fort Collins, with tech companies and consulting firms usually offering more competitive packages than government or financial services roles. Consequently, some cloud architects might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. When negotiating for hourly work, it’s essential to understand the specific dynamics within Fort Collins' cloud sector, ensuring you articulate your value while staying informed on going rates in the industry.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MS
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in cloud architecture. She specializes in cloud security and compliance. She works in a technology consulting firm.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.80% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for cloud architects in Fort Collins. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.80%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for cloud architects (SOC 15-1241).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MS, a licensed cloud architect with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov