Financial Analyst Career Guide: Lakewood, CO

The Salary Picture: Where Lakewood Stands

As a local who's watched Lakewood's economy evolve from a quiet suburb to a major employment hub, I can tell you the numbers tell a compelling story. Financial Analysts in Lakewood are doing slightly better than their national peers, but the real advantage comes from Colorado's overall economic health.

Let's break down what you can expect at different career stages:

Experience Level	Lakewood Salary Range	National Comparison	Key Local Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$72,000 - $85,000	Slightly above national average	Most positions at credit unions and smaller firms
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$95,000 - $115,000	Median: $100,643/year	Sweet spot for corporate finance roles
Senior (8-12 years)	$120,000 - $145,000	Well above national average	Specialized roles in healthcare or tech
Expert (12+ years)	$145,000 - $175,000+	Significant premium for CFA/CPA	Leadership roles at major employers

Hourly Rate: $48.39/hour - This is a solid benchmark for mid-career analysts. In Lakewood, you'll often see this as the floor for contract-to-hire positions at the major employers.

National Average: $99,010/year - Lakewood's median of $100,643 puts you about 1.6% above the national average. Not a huge premium, but combined with Colorado's overall economic climate, it's attractive.

Jobs in Metro: 311 - This isn't a massive number like Denver's thousands, but it's a healthy, stable market. You're competing with a tight pool of local talent rather than fighting through a flood of applicants.

10-Year Job Growth: 9% - This is the real story. The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro area is growing faster than the national average for financial services. The shift from traditional banking to fintech and healthcare finance is driving demand.

Insider Tip: Don't just look at the base numbers. Lakewood's proximity to Denver means you can access higher-paying downtown roles while living here, but the reverse commute is brutal. More on that in the commute section.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let me be blunt: Lakewood isn't cheap, but it's not Boulder or cherry Creek either. Here's what $100,643/year actually looks like in your monthly budget:

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Mid-Career Analyst at $100,643)

Category	Amount	Percentage	Notes
Gross Pay	$8,387	100%	Before any deductions
Federal Tax	-$1,520	18.1%	Varies by deductions
State Tax	-$480	5.7%	Colorado flat 4.63% + local taxes
FICA (7.65%)	-$642	7.7%	Standard
Health Insurance	-$350	4.2%	Average employer plan
401(k)	-$419	5%	Recommended minimum
Net Pay	$4,976	59.3%	Take-home after basics
Rent (1BR avg)	-$1,835	37%	Average 1BR Rent: $1,835/month
Utilities	-$180	3.6%	Internet, electric, gas
Car Payment/Insurance	-$450	9%	Average for area
Groceries/Incidentals	-$600	12%	Living in metro Denver prices
Remaining	$1,911	38%	For savings, debt, entertainment

Can they afford to buy a home? This is the burning question. The median home price in Lakewood is around $525,000. With a 20% down payment ($105,000), you'd need about $115,000 in savings. At $100,643/year, saving that would take 4-5 years of aggressive budgeting. Most analysts I know buy in 5-7 years with partner income or family help.

Insider Tip: The Cost of Living Index: 105.5 (US avg = 100) means you're paying 5.5% more than the national average. But this is skewed by housing. If you rent a 2BR with a roommate, you drop to about $1,100/month, making homeownership much more feasible.

Metro Population: 155,973 - This is critical context. Lakewood isn't a tiny town, but it's not a sprawling metropolis either. The job market is tight-knit, and reputation matters. Word spreads fast when someone leaves a role, for better or worse.

Where the Jobs Are: Lakewood's Major Employers

Lakewood's financial analyst jobs aren't in downtown skyscrapers—they're in suburban office parks, hospitals, and credit unions. Here are the players you need to know:

1. Centura Health - The biggest employer in western Colorado. Their finance department at St. Anthony's Hospital (Lakewood) and their corporate office at 2500 E. 2nd St. routinely hire 2-4 financial analysts annually. Focus on healthcare revenue cycle analysis. Starting salary: $75,000-$88,000.

2. Westerra Credit Union - Headquartered at 7505 W. Mississippi Ave. They've been expanding their analytical team to compete with fintech. You'll do everything from member profitability to loan portfolio analysis. Great for mid-career analysts. Salary range: $85,000-$110,000.

3. Colorado State Bank (now part of FirstBank) - Their Lakewood operations center isn't glamorous, but it's stable. They handle commercial lending analysis and internal audit. Known for promoting from within. Mid-level range: $92,000-$105,000.

4. Lockheed Martin - While technically in Jefferson County, Lakewood is their backyard. Their finance division at the Waterton Canyon facility needs analysts for program cost control and government contract analysis. Requires security clearance but pays $105,000-$135,000 for experienced analysts.

5. Jefferson County Public Schools - The district's finance office at 1829 Denver West Dr. handles a $600M+ budget. Analysts here work on grant management and capital projects. Stable, union-protected roles. Salary: $78,000-$95,000.

6. Colorado State University System - Their Lakewood campus at 7000 W. Colfax Ave. has a growing finance team for research grants and endowment management. Academic environment, good work-life balance. $70,000-$90,000 range.

7. Local Fintech Startups - The Denver metro's fintech scene spills into Lakewood. Companies like Upstart and SoFi have remote-first teams with Lakewood residents. These are competitive but pay $110,000-$145,000 for analysts with tech skills.

Hiring Trends: The post-pandemic shift has been dramatic. Healthcare finance (Centura) is booming due to aging population and reimbursement complexity. Credit unions are fighting for market share with digital tools, creating analytical demand. Traditional banking is flat. Government roles (Jeffco Schools, County) are stable but slow to hire.

Insider Tip: Most Lakewood jobs aren't posted on LinkedIn. They're on the employers' websites or local job boards like ColoradoWorkforce.org. Set up alerts for "financial analyst" in Lakewood, Golden, and Arvada. The local market is too small for recruiters to dominate.

Getting Licensed in CO

Colorado doesn't require a state-specific license for financial analysts, but there are important certifications and registrations. Here's the practical path:

Required Credentials & Costs

Credential	When Needed	Cost	Timeline
SIE/Series 7/63	For investment roles	$80-$300	3-6 months study
CFA Level I	Career advancement	$1,450/exam	1 year per level
CPA	If doing accounting work	$1,500-$3,000 total	18-24 months
FINRA Registration	For broker-dealer roles	Varies	30-90 days

State-Specific Requirements: Colorado follows federal regulations for securities. The Colorado Division of Securities (under the Department of Regulatory Agencies) handles registration. If you work for a broker-dealer, you'll file Form U4 through FINRA.

Costs Breakdown:

• Series 7 exam fee: $245
• Series 63 exam fee: $80
• CFA Level I: $1,450 (includes study materials)
• CPA Exam Fees: $226 per section × 4 = $904
• Colorado CPA License: $150 initial fee

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Month 1-3: Decide on certification path. If investment-focused, start with SIE (no sponsor needed). If corporate finance, consider CFA or MBA.
2. Month 4-12: Study for chosen credential. Most Lakewood employers will sponsor Series 7/63 if you have the SIE.
3. Month 13-18: For CPA, you need 150 college credits. Lakewood's Community College of Denver offers affordable post-baccalaureate courses.
4. Ongoing: Colorado requires 40 hours of CPE annually for CPA license maintenance.

Insider Tip: Colorado has a "safe harbor" provision for analysts moving from other states. If you're licensed in another state, you can apply for reciprocity. Check the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies website (DORA) for current forms. The process takes about 45 days.

Local Resource: The Colorado Financial Planning Association (CFPA) has a Denver chapter that hosts monthly networking events at the Denver Athletic Club. Many Lakewood analysts attend to meet potential employers. Dues are $250/year.

Best Neighborhoods for Financial Analysts

Lakewood's neighborhoods vary dramatically in vibe and commute. As someone who's lived here for 15 years, here's the real breakdown:

1. Belmar (80226)

• Rent Estimate: $1,950-$2,200/month for 1BR
• Commute: 15-20 mins to most Lakewood employers, 30-45 mins to Denver downtown
• Vibe: Urban-suburban mix. Walkable to restaurants, shops, Belmar Park
• Best For: Young professionals who want city amenities without Denver prices
• Insider Tip: The Cinemark Belmar is where everyone meets after work. Great for casual networking.

2. Green Mountain (80235)

• Rent Estimate: $1,700-$1,950/month for 1BR
• Commute: 10-15 mins to Westerra, Centura, Jeffco Schools
• Vibe: Quiet, family-oriented. Close to Bear Creek Lake Park
• Best For: Analysts who work west side (Centura, Westerra) and value outdoor access
• Insider Tip: Lakewood Square shopping center has cheaper groceries than Belmar.

3. Village West / Cloverleaf (80235)

• Rent Estimate: $1,500-$1,750/month for 1BR
• Commute: 15-20 mins to most employers
• Vibe: Working-class to middle-class. More affordable, less trendy
• Best For: Analysts on a budget or who want to save for a house
• Insider Tip: Lakewood's oldest neighborhood – great for finding character homes if buying. The Lakewood Heritage Center is a hidden gem.

4. Applewood (80401)

• Rent Estimate: $1,850-$2,100/month for 1BR
• Commute: 10-20 mins to most Lakewood employers
• Vibe: Established, suburban. Mature trees, larger lots
• Best For: Analysts with families or who want quiet, established area
• Insider Tip: Applewood Golf Course is where local executives play. Join the public course to network with managers from Lockheed and Centura.

5. Downtown Lakewood (80214)

• Rent Estimate: $1,650-$1,900/month for 1BR
• Commute: 5-15 mins to government and education jobs
• Vibe: Revitalizing historic core. Lakewood Civic Center area
• Best For: Analysts working for Jeffco Schools or County government
• Insider Tip: The Lakewood Cultural Center hosts free networking events. The area is gentrifying rapidly—buy if you can.

Commute Reality Check: If you're working in Denver proper, add 20-30 minutes each way via I-25 or US-6. The 6th Avenue Express bus is reliable but crowded. Most Lakewood analysts I know prefer jobs within the city to avoid the I-25 gauntlet.

The Long Game: Career Growth

Lakewood isn't a stepping stone to Wall Street—it's a sustainable career market. Here's how to grow here:

Specialty Premiums

Specialty	Lakewood Premium	Where to Find It
Healthcare Revenue Cycle	+15-20%	Centura, SCL Health
Government Contract Analysis	+25-30%	Lockheed, Jeffco Schools
Credit Union Portfolio Mgmt	+10-15%	Westerra, Ent Credit Union
Fintech/Data Analytics	+20-35%	Denver startups (remote)

Advancement Paths

1. Corporate Path: Analyst → Senior Analyst → Finance Manager → Director (5-7 years)
2. Consulting Path: Join a local firm like Deloitte's Denver office (30-min commute), transition to Lakewood-based clients
3. Niche Path: Specialize in healthcare finance or public sector—these are defensible skills in this market

10-Year Outlook: The 9% job growth is real but uneven. Healthcare finance will grow fastest as baby boomers age. Traditional banking may contract. The key is to build a hybrid skillset: financial modeling + data analytics + industry knowledge (healthcare, tech, or government).

Insider Tip: The Colorado State University Fort Collins (1.5 hours north) has a renowned MBA program with a Denver/Lakewood cohort. Many local analysts do the 2-year program while working. It's the fastest way to jump from $100,643 to $130,000+ in Lakewood's market.

Long-Term Earning Potential: Top analysts at Lockheed or healthcare systems can reach $160,000-$180,000 by year 10. The ceiling is lower than in New York or San Francisco, but so is the stress and cost of living.

The Verdict: Is Lakewood Right for You?

Pros and Cons Table

Pros	Cons
Salary above national average ($100,643 vs $99,010)	Housing costs rising faster than wages
Stable job market (311 positions, 9% growth)	Limited high-paying niche roles
Proximity to Denver for career options	Reverse commute traffic is brutal
Outdoor access (Red Rocks, Bear Creek Lake Park)	Winters are gray and long
Lower crime than Denver proper	Nightlife limited compared to Denver
Good school districts (Jeffco)	Property taxes increasing
No state license required for most roles	Professional network smaller than Denver

Final Recommendation

Lakewood is right for you if:

• You value work-life balance over maximum salary
• You want to buy a home in 5-7 years (not 2-3)
• You prefer suburban living with city access
• You're interested in healthcare, government, or credit union finance
• You're okay with a smaller, tight-knit professional community

Lakewood is NOT right for you if:

• You're chasing $200,000+ salaries (go to Denver or remote)
• You want vibrant nightlife and culture daily
• You need a massive professional network
• You're in investment banking or trading (limited local roles)

Insider's Final Word: I've seen many financial analysts come to Lakewood from coastal cities expecting a mini-version of New York. They're disappointed. But those who come for the lifestyle, not just the job