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2026 Salary Data — Denver, CO
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Denver: $88K Median

Accountants in Denver, CO earn between $61K and $146K per year.

That's +10% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Denver, CO is $87,868 per year — +10% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $60,500 (entry, 25th percentile) to $145,959 (90th percentile). Accountants in Denver earned approximately $17,229 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$87,868
+410.0% YoY · $7,322/mo
Entry
$60,500
0–2 years
Experienced
$115,500
5+ years
Top 10%
$145,959
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Denver vs Nearby
Denver
$88K
Colorado Springs
$80K
+10% vs Denver
Baltimore
$88K
+0% vs Denver
Austin
$92K
-4% vs Denver

Free ATS scan · Denver employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Denver

Accountants prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with regulations, perform audits, and provide financial analysis.

Core Responsibilities

  • Prepare financial statements
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Audit support
  • Financial analysis
  • Internal controls

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA

In-demand certifications

CPACMACIACFAEnrolled Agent (IRS)

Denver Job Market

Growing tech and aerospace hub with strong outdoor lifestyle appeal.

Population
716K
Cost of Living
115
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.6%
Median Home
$575K

Top Industries in Denver

AerospaceTechEnergyFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Denver or hiring remotely from this metro.

Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
Berkshire Hathaway
JPMorgan
Goldman Sachs
Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM)

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Accountant listings.

CPAAdvisory servicesData analyticsAutomation toolsESG reporting

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CPAGAAPIFRSExcelQuickBooksSAPaudittaxreconciliationfinancial reporting
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting.

Accountant Salary Breakdown — Denver

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$60,500$87,868$145,959
Monthly$5,042$7,322$12,163
Weekly$1,163$1,690$2,807
Hourly$29$42$70

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Denver

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$66,246.946
Per month$5,521
Biweekly paycheck$2,548
Effective tax rate24.6%

Tax Breakdown on $87,868

Gross salary$87,868
Federal income tax−$11,032.96
Colorado state tax−$3,866.192
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,721.902
Take-home (net)$66,246.946

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Accountant Salary by Experience — Denver

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Denver.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$55,660
2–3 yr$60,500
4–6 yr$88,000
7–10 yr$115,500
11–15 yr$136,290
15+ yr$130,730

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Denver's 1.10× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$17,229
2026 median:$87,868
Change:+$70,639

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CPA and Advisory services.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$76,407
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Denver

Walk-away anchor: $78,454 (offers below this are below market for Denver).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $116K–$146K for experienced roles, citing Denver market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Denver

What is the average Accountant salary in Denver, CO?
The average Accountant salary in Denver is $87,868 per year as of April 2026 — $7,322/month, $1,690/week, or about $42/hour. Salaries range from $60,500 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $145,959 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Denver's cost-of-living multiplier (1.10×).
Is $87,868 a good Accountant salary in Denver?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Denver's cost-of-living index is 115 (vs 100 nationally), giving $87,868 a real purchasing power of approximately $76,407 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $87,868 in Denver?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Denver specifically (median home price $575,000), a $87,868 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $87,868 enough for a single person in Denver?
A single adult in Denver typically needs ~$51,750 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $87,868 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $87,868 enough for a couple in Denver?
A couple (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$82,800 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $87,868 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $87,868 each ($175,736 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $87,868 enough for a family of 4 in Denver?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Denver typically needs ~$126,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $87,868 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Denver. Childcare costs in Denver typically run $17K-$32K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Denver?
On a $87,868 Accountant salary in Denver, CO, you take home approximately $66,246.946 per year ($5,521/month, $2,548 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $11,032.96, state $3,866.192, FICA $6,721.902. Effective tax rate: 24.6%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Denver earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Denver earn approximately 10% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $87,868 in Denver). However, Denver's cost-of-living index of 115 means real purchasing power is approximately $76,407 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Denver?
Entry-level Accountants in Denver typically start at around $60,500 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $115,500 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $145,959+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Denver increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Denver grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $17,229 in 2025 to $87,868 in 2026 (+$70,639). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Denver?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Denver's top industries include Aerospace, Tech, Energy, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for Accountants in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Accountants are: CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics, Automation tools, ESG reporting. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Denver.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Denver?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Denver include: Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM). Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Accountant salary in Denver?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Accountant salary in Denver?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CPA or CMA). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Accountant in Denver?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Denver's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Accountant salary figures for Denver are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Denver's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.10× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

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Accountant Salary in Other Cities

Austin, TX$92KPortland, OR$88KBaltimore, MD$88KSacramento, CA$86KColorado Springs, CO$80KMinneapolis, MN$88K

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