Over the past few years, we have seen Colorado’s economy, job market, and labor force change significantly. According to the Colorado Business Economic Outlook, we can expect to see more growth and jobs. With the tightening job market and rising cost of living, employers across the state are planning to increase their employees base pay.
A survey conducted by Mountain State Employers Council asked over 400 organizations around the state what they plan to pay the average employee in 2017 and 2018, and then compared the planned wages to what was paid to workers in 2016. It has been projected that average workers can anticipate their pay to increase by 3% – 3.2%. This projected pay increase is noteworthy because it signifies a large premium above the projected rate of inflation for the state of Colorado. A higher wage would also lessen some of the regional recruiting woes employers are facing due to high housing costs.
Here are a few salaries of positions in high demand:
| Position/ Title | First 20% | Middle 60% | Upper 20% |
| Controller | Under $166,000 | $166,00 – $232,000 | Over $232,000 |
| Accounting Manager | Under $93,000 | $93,000 – $119,500 | Over $119,500 |
| Senior Accountant | Under $85,750 | $85,750 – $99,500 | Over $99,500 |
| Staff Accountant (1-3 years) | Under $66,500 | $66,500 – $79,500 | Over $79,500 |
| Tax Accountant (1-3 years) | Under $73,000 | $73,000 – $93,250 | Over $93,250 |
| Financial Analyst | Under $73,000 | $73,000 – $86,250 | Over $86,250 |
| AP/AR Specialist | Under $49,250 | $49,250 – $56,250 | Over $56,250 |
| Payroll Specialist | Under $46,000 | $46,000 – $52,500 | Over $52,500 |
| Bookkeeper | Under $46,000 | $46,000 – $53,750 | Over $53,750 |
| Internal Audit Senior | Under $79,500 | $79,500 – $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
| Internal Auditor (1-3 years) | Over $100,000 | $59,500 – $73,000 | Over $73,000 |
CFS Colorado 