Accountant Salary in Brighton, CO: $85,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Brighton, CO earns a median $85,327/year (≈ $41.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Brighton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $81,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accounting professionals in Brighton, Colorado, can expect a median annual salary of $85,327 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease from the national median of $85,864. The salary range for accountants in this city spans from $60,292 at the 10th percentile to $132,257 at the 90th percentile, showcasing significant variability in earnings. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living metrics and regional pricing. As Brighton continues its economic evolution, the opportunities in the accounting sector seem promising, reflecting both competitive local and industry-wide dynamics.
About the Brighton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,292 | $28.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,775 | $33.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,327 | $41.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,219 | $52.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,257 | $63.59 |
Median Salary Position
0.63% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brighton
In Brighton, CO, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,965 (2026 est.). At $85,327, the local median is 0.63% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brighton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brighton Accountant Pay Compares
Brighton median: $85,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brighton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $89,536 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -0.63% less |
Accountants in Brighton, CO earn a median of $85,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.63% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.70% below the Colorado state average of $89,536.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brighton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brighton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $85,327 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $81,264 — a 4.76% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$71,103
2025 BLS Actual
$83,157
2026 Current Est.
$85,327
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Brighton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,103 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,767 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,513 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,381 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,076 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,157 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,554 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brighton metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $71,103 (2019) to $83,157 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,554 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,451 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brighton 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 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $60,292 – $69,775 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,775 – $85,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,327 – $109,219 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,219 – $132,257 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Brighton
Given that there are only seven accountants currently employed in Brighton, the job market remains tightly knit, which can impact salary negotiations and upward mobility. The area's cost of living index is slightly elevated at 105, indicating that accountants must strategically evaluate their take-home pay against local living expenses. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include the Big 4 public accounting firms and larger regional practices, although corporate accounting roles can also provide competitive pay without the extensive hours that public firms require, particularly during busy tax seasons. Factors such as CPA licensure, niche expertise in tax or forensic accounting, and the prestige attached to larger firms significantly influence the salary continuum. Aspiring accountants in Brighton should focus on obtaining relevant certifications and gaining experience in high-demand areas to maximize their potential earnings.
More salary data for Brighton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Brighton, CO in 2026?
Is Brighton, CO a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Brighton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Brighton?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Brighton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $83,157 for accountantsin the Brighton metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brighton is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov