Financial Analyst in Broomfield, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Broomfield Stands

As a local who's watched Broomfield's economy evolve from a quiet suburb into a tech and healthcare hub, I can tell you financial analysts here are well-positioned. The city's strategic location between Denver and Boulder creates a unique demand for financial talent that's less volatile than downtown Denver but with comparable compensation.

The median salary for a Financial Analyst in Broomfield is $100,643/year, translating to $48.39/hour when considering a standard 40-hour workweek. This sits slightly above the national average of $99,010/year, reflecting the premium Colorado places on financial talent. With 153 financial analyst jobs currently available in the metro area and a 10-year job growth projection of 9%, the market is stable but not explosive—ideal for those seeking steady career progression without the frenetic pace of Wall Street.

Experience-Level Breakdown

Experience Level	Annual Salary Range	Hourly Equivalent	Typical Employers
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$72,000 - $85,000	$34.62 - $40.87	Suncor Energy, smaller regional banks
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$95,000 - $112,000	$45.67 - $53.85	Ball Aerospace, Catholic Health Initiatives
Senior (8-15 years)	$115,000 - $135,000	$55.29 - $64.90	Terumo BCT, Kaiser Permanente
Expert/Manager (15+ years)	$140,000 - $165,000+	$67.31 - $79.33	Charles Schwab, corporate headquarters

Comparison to Other Colorado Cities

City	Median Salary	Cost of Living Index	Job Market Vibe
Broomfield	$100,643	105.5	Balanced, suburban tech
Denver	$104,200	110.2	Fast-paced, competitive
Boulder	$107,500	125.8	Innovative, academia-driven
Colorado Springs	$92,300	98.7	Military/defense focus
Fort Collins	$96,800	103.2	University influence

Broomfield hits the sweet spot: salaries are competitive with Denver but without the downtown premium. The cost of living index of 105.5 (vs. US average of 100) means your paycheck stretches further here than in Boulder or downtown Denver. For financial analysts who want the hybrid model—urban amenities without urban rent—Broomfield delivers.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about what $100,643/year means in your pocket. Using Colorado's progressive tax structure (4.4% state income tax) and federal deductions for a single filer taking standard deduction, here's the monthly breakdown:

Monthly Budget for a Financial Analyst Earning $100,643:

Expense Category	Monthly Amount	% of Gross	Notes
Gross Salary	$8,387	100%	$100,643/12
Federal Tax	$1,375	16.4%	Varies by filing status
Colorado State Tax	$369	4.4%	Flat rate
Social Security/Medicare	$638	7.65%	Standard FICA
Net Take-Home	$6,005	71.6%	After all deductions
Rent (1BR Avg)	$1,835	22%	Of gross salary
Remaining After Rent	$4,170	49.7%	For all other expenses

This leaves approximately $4,170/month after covering rent. With careful budgeting, this covers utilities ($150), groceries ($400), transportation ($300), healthcare ($250), and discretionary spending while still allowing for savings.

Can You Afford to Buy a Home?

Here's the insider reality: Broomfield's median home price sits at $575,000 as of 2024. With a $100,643 salary, you're at the edge of affordability. Using standard 20% down payment ($115,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would require monthly payments around $3,040 (including taxes/insurance)—that's 36% of your gross income, pushing the limits of what lenders recommend.

Bottom line: Buying immediately is tight. Most local analysts rent for 2-3 years while saving aggressively. The $4,170 surplus after rent allows for saving $2,000/month toward that down payment. Consider condos/townhomes in the $350,000-$450,000 range for a more realistic entry point.

Where the Jobs Are: Broomfield's Major Employers

Broomfield isn't a typical corporate headquarters city, but it hosts significant regional offices and specialized employers that value financial talent. Here are the key players:

1. Suncor Energy (Denver West Campus) - Not far from Broomfield, this energy giant's financial planning and analysis teams frequently hire analysts for their Denver metro operations. They value candidates with energy sector exposure. Hiring is steady, with 3-5 openings annually.

2. Ball Aerospace (Broomfield Campus) - A major employer with 1,500+ employees locally. Their financial analysts work on government contracts (NASA, DoD), requiring security clearance. Expect $105,000-$130,000 for mid-level roles. Clearances can take 6-12 months but are worth the investment.

3. Terumo BCT (Global HQ) - Medical device manufacturer with global HQ in Broomfield. Their finance team supports international operations. They actively hire financial analysts with manufacturing or medical device experience. Promotes from within.

4. Kaiser Permanente (Broomfield Medical Offices) - Healthcare finance is booming. Kaiser's regional finance team supports their Colorado operations. Expect $95,000-$115,000 for analysts with healthcare reimbursement experience.

5. Charles Schwab (Broomfield Campus) - Major employer with 4,000+ employees. Financial analysts work in everything from retail brokerage to corporate finance. They have strong internal promotion paths and value CFA candidates. Hiring is constant due to growth.

6. Catholic Health Initiatives (now CommonSpirit Health) - Their regional finance office handles multiple hospital systems. This is where analysts with hospital finance experience thrive. Demand for cost accounting and revenue cycle expertise is high.

7. Local/Regional Banks - FirstBank, Alpine Bank, and Vectra Bank all have Broomfield branches with commercial lending teams. These roles are relationship-driven and pay $80,000-$95,000 but offer excellent work-life balance.

Hiring Trends: The biggest shift I've seen is toward analysts who can blend financial modeling with data visualization (Tableau, Power BI). Employers are also increasingly requiring Python or SQL skills for financial reporting. The pandemic accelerated remote work adoption—about 40% of local analyst positions now offer hybrid or fully remote options.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado doesn't require a state-specific license for general financial analysts, but certain specializations do. Here's what you need to know:

For General Financial Analysts:

• No state license required for corporate financial analysis, forecasting, or FP&A roles.
• Series licenses (7, 63, 66) are only needed if you're giving investment advice or selling securities.
• CFA Charter is highly valued but not mandatory. The exam costs $1,200-$1,500 per level (three levels total).

For Specialized Roles:

• CPA (Certified Public Accountant) - Required for audit and tax roles. Colorado follows CPA Uniform Exam. Exam fees: $1,500-$2,000. Requires 150 college credits and 2 years supervised experience.
• CFP (Certified Financial Planner) - For wealth management roles. Total cost: $1,500-$2,000 for education/exam. Colorado requires 45-day waiting period for licensing after exam.
• Securities Licenses - If joining Charles Schwab or similar for brokerage roles, Series 7/66 required. Sponsoring firm covers exam costs.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Month 1-3: Research your path. If aiming for corporate finance, focus on Excel/Power BI certifications ($500-$800). For wealth management, start CFP coursework.
• Month 4-9: If pursuing CPA, begin studying. Colorado requires 30 upper-division accounting credits if your degree isn't in accounting.
• Year 1-2: Build experience. Most employers value relevant experience over credentials initially. The local market favors candidates who can demonstrate practical modeling skills.

Insider Tip: Many local employers (especially Kaiser and Ball Aerospace) offer tuition reimbursement for certifications. Ask about this during interviews—it can save you $2,000-$5,000 in exam fees.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Broomfield is geographically large but offers distinct neighborhoods with different vibes. Your choice depends on commute tolerance and lifestyle preferences.

Neighborhood	Avg 1BR Rent	Commute to Major Employers	Vibe & Why It Works for Analysts
Broomfield Park	$1,750	10-15 min to Suncor/Ball	Central location, walkable to restaurants, newer apartments. Most popular with young professionals.
Rocky Flats	$1,650	15-20 min to Kaiser/Terumo	Quiet, near open space. Good for those wanting suburban feel with easy highway access.
Interlocken	$1,900	8-12 min to Charles Schwab	Modern condos, close to US-36. Slightly pricier but minimal commute time.
Broadlands	$1,825	12-18 min to most employers	Family-friendly, excellent schools, slightly older demographic. Good for long-term planners.
Anthem Ranch	$1,700	20-25 min to Denver office jobs	Active adult community (55+), but some younger analysts live here for affordability. More isolated.

Commute Reality Check: Most financial analyst jobs in Broomfield are in the "Broomfield commercial corridor" along US-36 and I-25. From anywhere in Broomfield, you're within a 20-minute drive. However, if you choose a Denver-based job, add 30-45 minutes during rush hour. The 153 jobs in the metro include many that are Broomfield-based, but some are in downtown Denver or Boulder.

Insider Neighborhood Tip: Broomfield Park offers the best balance. You can walk to coffee shops (like Red Rooster) for networking, and it's central enough for spontaneous after-work drinks with colleagues. For the budget-conscious, Rocky Flats gives you more space for the same money, but you'll drive everywhere.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Broomfield isn't a "climb the corporate ladder" city like New York or Chicago, but it offers solid advancement for those who are strategic.

Specialty Premiums (What Skills Pay More):

• Data Visualization (Tableau/Power BI): +$5,000-$10,000 to base salary
• Python/SQL for Finance: +$8,000-$15,000
• CFA Charter: +$10,000-$20,000 (especially at Charles Schwab)
• Security Clearance (Ball Aerospace): +$15,000-$25,000 premium
• Healthcare Revenue Cycle: +$7,000-$12,000 (Kaiser/CommonSpirit)

Advancement Paths:

1. Corporate FP&A Track: Financial Analyst → Senior Analyst → Manager → Director. This path is strongest at larger employers (Ball Aerospace, Kaiser). Expect 3-5 years per level.

2. Wealth Management Track: This requires building a book of clients. Broomfield's affluent retirees (especially in Anthem Ranch) create opportunities. The first 2 years are lean ($70,000-$85,000), but successful advisors can earn $150,000+ by year 5.

3. Specialist Track: Becoming the go-to expert in energy finance (Suncor), medical device finance (Terumo), or government contracting (Ball). These roles are stable and pay premiums but are harder to leave once specialized.

10-Year Outlook:

The 9% job growth is modest but steady. The real growth will be in hybrid roles: financial analysts who also understand data science or ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) investing. Broomfield's proximity to both Denver's corporate scene and Boulder's tech/startup ecosystem means you can access both worlds.

Insider Career Tip: The most successful analysts here build a network across industries. Join the Colorado Financial Planning Association (FPA) chapter that meets in Denver/Broomfield. Attend the annual "Finance Colorado" conference in Denver. Your next job often comes from a connection at Kaiser who moves to Charles Schwab, not from applying online.

The Verdict: Is Broomfield Right for You?

Pros and Cons

Pros	Cons
Competitive salaries ($100,643 median) without downtown Denver premiums	Limited high-end networking compared to Denver
Lower cost of living than Boulder/Denver (105.5 vs. 110.2/125.8)	Smaller job market (153 jobs) means fewer specialized roles
Stable employers (healthcare, aerospace, energy)	Limited nightlife; Denver/Boulder are 30-45 min away
Outdoor access (Rocky Flats, Broomfield Reservoir) for work-life balance	Car dependency; public transit is limited
Hybrid work flexibility (40% of jobs offer remote/hybrid)	Fewer "prestige" employers for resume building
Good school districts (helpful for analysts with families)	Seasonal air quality issues (wildfire smoke)

Final Recommendation

Broomfield is right for you if:

• You value work-life balance over hustle culture
• You want a stable, growing market (not boom/bust)
• You're interested in healthcare, energy, or aerospace finance
• You prefer suburban living with easy access to mountains and city
• You're mid-career or planning to start a family

Broomfield might not be right if:

• You're seeking rapid career acceleration (Fintech, startups)
• You need a dense professional network nearby
• You want walkable, urban living
• You're early in your career and want to "pay your dues" in a competitive environment

My take as a local: Broomfield is where financial analysts come to build a life, not just a career. The median salary of $100,643 goes further here than in most Colorado cities, and the 10-year job growth of 9% means steady opportunities. It's not glamorous, but it's sustainable. For analysts tired of the grind but not ready to leave finance, Broomfield offers a rare balance.

FAQs

Q: How competitive is the job market with only 153 jobs?
A: Surprisingly manageable. The 153 jobs don't account for the many remote positions Broomfield residents take from Denver/Boulder employers. The local market is tight-knit—many openings are filled through referrals before hitting job boards. Network aggressively.

Q: Is a CFA necessary to get hired here?
A: No, but it helps especially at Charles Schwab. Most employers value experience and practical skills more. If you have 3+ years of experience, you can get hired without it and then have the employer pay for the exam.

Q: Can I live in Denver and commute to Broomfield jobs?
A: Yes, and many do it the opposite way. Broomfield rents are 15-20% lower than comparable Denver neighborhoods. The commute on US-36 or I-25 is 30-45 minutes against traffic if you're heading west in the morning. Most Broomfield analysts reverse-commute to Denver for higher-paying jobs.

Q: What's the best way to break into the market as a recent grad?
A: Target the $72,000-$85,000 entry-level roles at Suncor or Terumo. Consider a temporary/contract role through a firm like Robert Half in Denver to get Colorado experience. The