Financial Analyst in Centennial, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Centennial Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Centennial’s job market for Financial Analysts is solid, but it’s not Denver. You’re trading the downtown hustle for a more suburban, family-friendly vibe with easy access to both the city and the mountains. The data confirms this: the median salary here sits at $100,643/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $48.39/hour. That’s notably higher than the national average of $99,010/year, giving you a slight premium for choosing the Denver metro area. With 213 jobs currently listed in the metro and a healthy 10% 10-year job growth, the market is active, fueled by the tech and aerospace sectors that dot the I-25 corridor from Centennial south to Douglas County.

Here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in this area:

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Salary Range (Centennial, CO)
Entry-Level Analyst	0-2 years	$65,000 - $80,000
Mid-Level Analyst	3-7 years	$85,000 - $115,000
Senior Financial Analyst	8-12 years	$115,000 - $135,000
Lead/Expert Analyst	12+ years	$135,000 - $160,000+

Compared to other Colorado cities, Centennial offers a compelling balance. Denver proper commands a higher median salary, but you pay for it with a higher cost of living and brutal commutes. Boulder, with its tech and biotech focus, can push salaries higher for specialized roles, but housing costs are astronomical. Colorado Springs has a lower cost of living but also lower salary ceilings and a more military/government-focused economy. In Centennial, you get the Denver metro salary without the downtown premium, making it a smart financial move for many analysts.

Insider Tip: Don’t just look at the median. In Centennial, a significant portion of the analyst workforce is employed by large, stable corporations in the suburbs. These companies often have structured salary bands, so your negotiation power might be less than at a Denver startup, but the benefits and job security are usually better.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about your budget. On a $100,643/year salary, your take-home pay after Colorado state income tax (4.4%), federal tax, and FICA will be roughly $72,000 - $75,000 annually, or about $6,000 - $6,250/month (this is an estimate; use a paycheck calculator for your exact situation).

Now, let’s break down a monthly budget for a single analyst living in Centennial. The average 1-bedroom rent is $1,635/month. Let’s be conservative and budget for that.

Monthly Expense Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$6,200	After taxes & deductions
Rent (1BR Avg.)	$1,635	Centennial average
Utilities	$150	Xcel Energy (electric/gas), water, trash
Groceries	$400	Safeway, King Soopers; no sales tax on food
Car/Transport	$600	Gas, insurance, potential payment (I-25 traffic is real)
Health Insurance	$300	Employer-sponsored plan
Retirement (401k)	$500	8% of gross, with employer match
Entertainment/Dining	$400	Local breweries, Red Rocks shows, etc.
Misc/Debt	$500	Student loans, shopping, etc.
Total Expenses	$4,485
Monthly Savings	$1,715

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the big question. The median home price in Centennial is around $575,000. With a $1,715 monthly surplus, you could save a $50,000 down payment in about 2.5 years. However, with a 30-year mortgage at today’s rates, a $575,000 home would have a monthly payment (including taxes and insurance) of around $3,800. That’s over 60% of your take-home pay, which is not sustainable. Verdict: Buying a home in Centennial on a single $100,643 analyst salary is very difficult without a significant second income or a larger down payment. Renting is the practical choice for most entry and mid-level analysts.

Where the Jobs Are: Centennial's Major Employers

Centennial’s economy is anchored by a mix of aerospace, tech, and financial services. You’ll find job postings from these local giants, which often hire dozens of analysts at a time.

1. Lockheed Martin (Waterton Canyon Campus): The massive aerospace and defense contractor has a huge presence in southwest Centennial. Their finance teams are always looking for analysts skilled in government contracting, cost accounting, and program finance. Hiring Trend: Steady, with growth in defense spending.
2. Arrow Electronics: A Fortune 150 global technology solutions provider headquartered in Centennial. They need analysts for corporate FP&A, supply chain finance, and M&A analysis. Hiring Trend: Consistent; changes with the tech hardware cycle.
3. Charles Schwab (Lone Tree Office): Just south of Centennial in the Denver Tech Center (DTC) corridor, Schwab is a major employer for financial analysts, especially in client services, risk, and corporate finance. Hiring Trend: Strong, driven by the growing number of retirees and investors in Colorado.
4. Comcast (Mountain West Region HQ): Located in the DTC, Comcast’s finance teams handle regional reporting, capital planning, and advertising revenue analysis. Hiring Trend: Stable, with growth in digital and streaming services.
5. Children's Hospital Colorado (Anschutz Medical Campus): While not in Centennial, it’s a massive employer just north in Aurora. Hospital finance and revenue cycle management are specialized, high-demand fields for analysts. Hiring Trend: Strong growth, driven by healthcare expansion.
6. Douglas County School District (DCSD): One of Colorado’s fastest-growing school districts, with its administration in Castle Rock (adjacent to Centennial). They employ analysts for budgeting, grant management, and bond analysis. Hiring Trend: Growing with the population influx.

Insider Tip: Many of these employers post jobs on LinkedIn and their own career pages, but also work with local staffing agencies like Robert Half and Kforce. A quick search for “Financial Analyst” in “Centennial, CO” will often surface these names.

Getting Licensed in CO

For most corporate Financial Analyst roles, you don’t need a state-specific license like an accountant or real estate agent. However, professional certifications are critical for career advancement.

• Certifications (Not State-Licensed, but Essential):
  • CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst): The gold standard for investment analysis. Administered by the CFA Institute (global). No state license, but it’s the most respected credential. Exam costs: ~$1,500 per level (3 levels total).
  • FMVA (Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst): Offered by the Corporate Finance Institute (CFI), very popular for corporate finance roles. Cost: ~$1,000 - $1,500.
  • CPA (Certified Public Accountant): While more for accounting, many analysts get this for a broader skill set. Colorado follows the Uniform CPA Exam. You must apply through the Colorado Board of Accountancy. Requirements: 150 semester hours, passing all four exam sections, and one year of experience. Exam fees: ~$1,500 total; state application fee: ~$150.
• Timeline to Get Started: You can apply for jobs with a Bachelor’s degree immediately. If you’re pursuing the CFA, plan for 3-4 years to complete all three levels. For a CPA, if you already have the education, you can sit for exams within 6-12 months, with the full licensure process taking 1-2 years.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Where you live in Centennial impacts your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a local’s guide:

1. The Highlands Ranch Area (South Centennial):
   • Commute: Easy access to I-25 for jobs in the DTC or Lockheed Martin. ~25-35 mins to downtown Denver.
   • Lifestyle: Master-planned community feel, excellent schools, parks, and shopping (Park Meadows Mall). Very family-oriented.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,700 - $2,000 for a 1BR. More for a 2BR.
2. Centennial Center / Arapahoe Road Corridor:
   • Commute: Central, close to the I-25/I-225 interchange. Walkable to the Light Rail (Line D) for a commute to downtown Denver.
   • Lifestyle: Mix of older and newer apartments, closer to the action of the “Centennial Promenade” and local restaurants. More urban-suburban feel.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,550 - $1,850 for a 1BR.
3. Near the Anschutz Medical Campus (Aurora, bordering Centennial):
   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to the campus. Easy to I-225 and I-70.
   • Lifestyle: More apartment-focused, younger demographic due to the medical campus. Good access to Denver International Airport (DIA).
   • Rent Estimate: $1,400 - $1,700 for a 1BR.
4. Southglenn / Near Southlands (Southeast Corner):
   • Commute: 20-30 minutes to most Centennial employers, but can be longer to downtown Denver via I-25.
   • Lifestyle: Excellent shopping (The Streets at Southlands), community events, and a strong suburban feel. Closer to open spaces.
   • Rent Estimate: $1,600 - $1,900 for a 1BR.

Insider Tip: The “Light Rail” is a game-changer. If you live near a D-Line station (like in Arapahoe at Village Center), you can avoid I-25 traffic for jobs in downtown Denver, saving your sanity.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Centennial is a fantastic place to build a stable, long-term career, not necessarily to chase rapid startup-style growth.

• Specialty Premiums: Analysts with technical skills (SQL, Python, Power BI) command a 10-15% premium over generalist roles. Those in defense/aerospace (Lockheed) or healthcare finance often see higher base salaries due to the complexity of the industries.
• Advancement Paths: The typical path is Financial Analyst -> Senior Financial Analyst -> Finance Manager -> Director of FP&A. In large corporations like Lockheed or Arrow, this path is well-defined but can be slow (5-8 years between levels). Moving to a smaller company or a Denver startup can accelerate this but comes with more risk.
• 10-Year Outlook: The 10% job growth is promising. The demand will be strongest in tech, healthcare, and corporate finance. The rise of remote work is a double-edged sword: it allows you to work for a Denver or even national company while living in Centennial’s affordability, but it also means you’re competing with analysts nationwide for some roles. Specializing in an industry (e.g., aerospace finance) will be your best defense against being replaced by a remote worker in a cheaper state.

The Verdict: Is Centennial Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Salary Premium: $100,643 median is above the national average.	Buying a Home is Tough: Median home price of $575,000 is out of reach for many on a single analyst salary.
Stable Job Market: 213 jobs and 10% growth in major industries.	Commute Can Be Harsh: I-25 traffic is notorious; a 10-mile commute can take 30+ minutes.
Work-Life Balance: Suburban pace, easy access to outdoor recreation (hiking, skiing).	Less “Networky”: Fewer finance meetups than in downtown Denver; you’ll need to make an effort.
Good Schools & Safety: A major draw for families considering the long term.	Cost of Living Index (105.5): Still 5.5% above the US average, mainly due to housing.
Light Rail Access: Connects to Denver, DIA, and the southern suburbs.	Can Feel Generic: Lacks the unique character and density of older Denver neighborhoods.

Final Recommendation: Centennial is an excellent choice for mid-career financial analysts (5-15 years experience) who value stability, good schools, and a manageable lifestyle. It’s perfect if you work for a major employer like Lockheed or Charles Schwab and want to avoid the downtown grind. For early-career analysts (0-3 years), it can feel isolating; the social and networking scene is better in Denver or Boulder. For those focused on buying a home, you’ll need a partner with a second income or be prepared to look at the more affordable adjacent cities like Aurora or Parker. If you can stomach the commute and prioritize financial stability over urban excitement, Centennial is a smart, data-driven place to build your career.

FAQs

1. What’s the best way to find a Financial Analyst job in Centennial?
Start with LinkedIn, filtering for “Financial Analyst” and “Centennial, CO.” Also, check the career pages of the major employers listed above (Lockheed, Arrow, Schwab). Don’t underestimate local staffing firms; a good recruiter can get your foot in the door at companies that don’t post publicly.

2. Do I need to know someone to get hired here?
It helps, but it’s not essential. The corporate culture in Centennial’s large employers is more formal. A strong, tailored resume and a solid interview performance matter more than personal connections, though networking events in the DTC or Denver can certainly give you an edge.

3. Is the commute from Centennial to downtown Denver worth it for a higher salary?
It depends. If a job offers a $10,000+ salary premium over a Centennial-based role, it might be. But factor in the 30-60 minute commute each way, gas, and potential tolls (E-470). For many, staying local for a slightly lower salary is a better quality-of-life trade-off.

4. What’s the tech scene like for financial analysts?
Growing. While not a tech hub like Boulder, companies like Arrow and many tech firms in the DTC need analysts who are proficient in data visualization (Tableau, Power BI) and basic data querying (SQL). Upskilling in these areas is a surefire way to increase your market value in the Centennial area.

5. Are there opportunities for remote work with Centennial-based companies?
Yes, especially post-2020. Many of the larger employers have adopted hybrid models. It’s common to see analysts working 2-3 days from home. During interviews, ask directly about the company’s remote work policy—this is now a standard question.