Accountant Salary in Centennial, CO: $103,570 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Centennial, CO earns a median $103,570/year (≈ $49.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Centennial's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $98,638 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Centennial, Colorado can expect a median annual salary of $103,570, which surpasses the national median of $85,864 by over 20%. The salary range is broad, spanning from $65,773 at the 10th percentile to $160,534 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant pay disparity that reflects experience, specialization, and firm prestige. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic factors, and illustrate the financial potential for both entry-level and seasoned professionals in this area. The robust earnings potential, coupled with a steady growth rate of 2.61% annually, highlight Centennial's evolving accounting job market.
About the Centennial Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,773 | $31.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $79,696 | $38.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,570 | $49.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $132,570 | $63.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $160,534 | $77.18 |
Median Salary Position
20.62% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Centennial
In Centennial, CO, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $94,761 (2026 est.). At $103,570, the local median is 20.62% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Centennial: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Centennial Accountant Pay Compares
Centennial median: $103,570/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Centennial Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $89,516 | +15.70% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +20.62% more |
Accountants in Centennial, CO earn a median of $103,570 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.62% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 15.70% above the Colorado state average of $89,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Centennial has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Centennial, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $103,570 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $98,638 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$86,305
2025 BLS Actual
$100,936
2026 Current Est.
$103,570
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Centennial (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $86,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $88,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $93,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $94,085 | Actual |
| 2023 | $96,352 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,179 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,936 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,570 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $106,274 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Centennial metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $86,305 (2019) to $100,936 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $106,274 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,969 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Centennial 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) | $65,773 – $79,696 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $79,696 – $103,570 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,570 – $132,570 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $132,570 – $160,534 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Centennial
Understanding the local job market is crucial for maximizing accountant pay in Centennial, where only 16 accountants are currently employed. The cost of living index of 105 suggests that while salaries are competitive, housing and other expenses may demand careful budgeting to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, the Big 4 public accounting firms generally offer the most competitive wages, with Deloitte and PwC leading the charge, followed by regional CPA firms like BDO and Grant Thornton. The pay gap between the lower and upper tiers can be attributed to several factors, including the CPA license's impact on salary progression, public firm prestige, and specialty areas such as tax and forensic accounting, which command premiums. For those looking to enhance their earnings, pursuing a CPA designation and developing specialized skills can significantly uplift compensation prospects in Centennial.
More salary data for Centennial, 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 $100,936 for accountantsin the Centennial 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 Centennial 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