Accountant Salary in Steamboat Springs, CO: $84,412 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Steamboat Springs, CO earns a median $84,412/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Steamboat Springs's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $80,392 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Steamboat Springs can expect to earn a median annual salary of $84,412, which positions them slightly below the national median of $85,864 for the profession. The salary range for accounting roles in this picturesque Colorado town spans from $57,307 at the lower end (P10) to $130,839 for the highest earners (P90). These figures reflect localized estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences. The distinctive compensation dynamics in Steamboat Springs, influenced by the area's employer mix—including public firms, regional CPA practices, and corporate accounting—illustrate a market where the structural divide between large accounting firms and smaller local practices creates varied pay scales.
About the Steamboat Springs Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,307 | $27.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,259 | $34.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,412 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,387 | $51.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,839 | $62.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Steamboat Springs
In Steamboat Springs, CO, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,532 (2026 est.). At $84,412, the local median is 1.69% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Steamboat Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Steamboat Springs Accountant Pay Compares
Steamboat Springs median: $84,412/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Steamboat Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $89,514 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -1.69% less |
Accountants in Steamboat Springs, CO earn a median of $84,412 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.70% below the Colorado state average of $89,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Steamboat Springs has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Steamboat Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,412 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,392 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,340
2025 BLS Actual
$82,265
2026 Current Est.
$84,412
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Steamboat Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,316 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,681 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,529 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,265 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,412 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,615 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Steamboat Springs metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $70,340 (2019) to $82,265 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,615 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,275 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Steamboat Springs 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) | $57,307 – $72,259 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,259 – $84,412 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,412 – $106,387 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,387 – $130,839 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Steamboat Springs
The local job market for accountants in Steamboat Springs is relatively small, with only four accountants currently employed in the area. This constricted workforce, combined with a cost of living index of 105, slightly above the national average, can impact take-home pay potential for those within the profession. Large firms, particularly the Big 4, typically pay the most, but many individuals make the transition to industry roles, where salaries can be more competitive for controllers and other financial management positions. The variance in pay can be linked to factors such as the CPA license and the career progression from entry-level to senior roles, with public firms often providing the highest initial salaries due to the intensity of busy seasons and demanding workloads. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in Steamboat Springs, pursuing specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting can also enhance compensation potential.
More salary data for Steamboat Springs, 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 $82,265 for accountantsin the Steamboat Springs 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 Steamboat Springs 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