Accountant Salary

Colorado Springs vs Grand Junction: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Grand Junction, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$87,219
$41.94/hr
Grand Junction, CO
$78,876
$37.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COGrand Junction, CO
Median Salary$87,219$78,876
Hourly Rate$41.94$37.92
Entry Level (P10)$56,979$50,710
25th Percentile$67,076$63,557
75th Percentile$120,916$102,589
Top Earner (P90)$147,451$130,879
Total Employed2,580640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($87,219) and Grand Junction ($78,876) accountant salaries.Colorado SpringsGrand JunctionMedian Salary$87,219$78,876Entry Level (P10)$56,979$50,710Top Earner (P90)$147,451$130,879US Median $85,864

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grand Junction.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Grand Junction is $8,343 (10.58%). Colorado Springs's median is +1.58% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $90,472,Grand Junction spans $80,169. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$56,979
P25$67,076
Median$87,219
P75$120,916
P90 (Top)$147,451
Grand Junction
P10 (Entry)$50,710
P25$63,557
Median$78,876
P75$102,589
P90 (Top)$130,879

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($86,607 effective) pays 4.83% more than Grand Junction ($82,613 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $87,219
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $86,607
Grand Junction
Nominal: $78,876
CoL Index: 95.476
Adjusted: $82,613

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($147,451)
  • Larger job market (2,580 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,607)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Grand Junction if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Colorado Springs grew 27.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 28.5% growth in Grand Junction over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.9%

$66,480 (2019) → $85,000 (2025)

Grand Junction, CO

+28.5%

$59,820 (2019) → $76,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Colorado Springs or Grand Junction?

Colorado Springs has a higher median accountant salary at $87,219/year, compared to Grand Junction at $78,876/year — a difference of $8,343 (10.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Grand Junction?

Colorado Springs accountants earn $41.94/hr while Grand Junction hygienists earn $37.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Grand Junction as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $86,607, Grand Junction = $82,613), job availability (2,580 vs 640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Colorado Springs vs Grand Junction?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $56,979 in Colorado Springs and $50,710 in Grand Junction. The Colorado Springs area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Sofia Patel, CPA

Career Analyst

Sofia Patel has over 10 years of experience in financial analysis. She specializes in tax preparation for small businesses. She has worked in both corporate and public accounting environments.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov