Accountant Salary in Denver, CO: $102,631 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Denver, CO earns a median $102,631/year (≈ $49.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Denver's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.8), that paycheck buys what $97,021 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.6% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average compensation for accountants in Denver, Colorado, is projected to reach $102,631 annually, surpassing the national median of $85,864 by 19.53%. This competitive salary suggests a robust job market for finance professionals in the area, as earnings can vary significantly based on experience and specialization, with a range from $65,209 at the 10th percentile to $169,317 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlights the value currently placed on accounting skills in Denver’s thriving economy. Overall, the city represents an attractive landscape for accounting professionals seeking lucrative career opportunities, especially in light of its ongoing growth and demand for financial experts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,209 | $31.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,169 | $38.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $102,631 | $49.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $134,286 | $64.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $169,317 | $81.40 |
Median Salary Position
19.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Denver
In Denver, CO, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $104,108 (2026 est.). At $102,631, the local median is 19.53% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Denver: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Denver Accountant Pay Compares
Denver median: $102,631/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Denver Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $89,555 | +14.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +19.53% more |
Accountants in Denver, CO earn a median of $102,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.53% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 14.60% above the Colorado state average of $89,555.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Denver has a cost of living 5.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Denver, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105.782 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $102,631 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $97,021 — a 5.47% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,070
2025 BLS Actual
$100,020
2026 Current Est.
$102,631
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Denver (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,870 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,770 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $102,631 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,309 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Denver metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 29.8% from $77,070 (2019) to $100,020 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,309 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,239 (36.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Denver 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) | $65,209 – $80,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,169 – $102,631 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $102,631 – $134,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $134,286 – $169,317 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Denver
As of 2025 projections, there are approximately 22,720 accountants employed in the greater Denver area, offering a diverse array of job opportunities across public firms and corporate environments. However, the local cost of living, indexed at 105.782, presents challenges that can impact effective take-home pay. Among employers, the Big 4 public accounting firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those on a partner track. Conversely, regional CPA firms and boutique practices may pay lower rates, but they can provide valuable experience and work-life balance. Factors contributing to the variation in pay include the significance of obtaining a CPA license, the prestige associated with larger firms, and specialization in areas such as tax or forensic accounting. For accountants looking to enhance their earnings in Denver, pursuing advanced certifications, networking within the Big 4 pipeline, and seeking transitions to industry roles as soon as they gain enough experience could significantly improve financial outcomes.
More salary data for Denver, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 $100,020 for accountantsin the Denver 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
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 2.61%, 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