Accountant Salary

Greenville vs Lexington: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Greenville, SC and Lexington, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$78,876
$37.92/hr
Lexington, SC
$74,605
$35.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCLexington, SC
Median Salary$78,876$74,605
Hourly Rate$37.92$35.87
Entry Level (P10)$53,450$50,536
25th Percentile$65,096$59,402
75th Percentile$103,205$94,061
Top Earner (P90)$133,824$115,637
Total Employed2,8905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($78,876) and Lexington ($74,605) accountant salaries.GreenvilleLexingtonMedian Salary$78,876$74,605Entry Level (P10)$53,450$50,536Top Earner (P90)$133,824$115,637US Median $85,864

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lexington.

The salary gap between Greenville and Lexington is $4,271 (5.72%). Greenville's median is -8.14% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $80,374,Lexington spans $65,101. Greenville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$53,450
P25$65,096
Median$78,876
P75$103,205
P90 (Top)$133,824
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$50,536
P25$59,402
Median$74,605
P75$94,061
P90 (Top)$115,637

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($84,576 effective) pays 3.73% more than Lexington ($81,536 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $78,876
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $84,576
Lexington
Nominal: $74,605
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $81,536

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,876/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,824)
  • Larger job market (2,890 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,576)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Greenville grew 21.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 16.8% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+21.7%

$63,160 (2019) → $76,870 (2025)

Lexington, SC

+16.8%

$62,227 (2024) → $72,707 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Greenville or Lexington?

Greenville has a higher median accountant salary at $78,876/year, compared to Lexington at $74,605/year — a difference of $4,271 (5.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Lexington?

Greenville accountants earn $37.92/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $35.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Lexington as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $84,576, Lexington = $81,536), job availability (2,890 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Greenville vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $53,450 in Greenville and $50,536 in Lexington. The Greenville area offers higher starting salaries.
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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov