Accountant Salary in Kansas: $79,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $79,259/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $87,194 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($80,549), Wichita ($79,270), Lawrence ($79,050).
In 2026, accountants in Kansas can expect an average median salary of $79,259, which is approximately 7.7% lower than the national median of $85,864. The highest salaries are found in Kansas City at $82,651, while Manhattan offers the lowest at $67,620, creating a notable salary gap of $15,031. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of businesses, urban economic activity, and demand for specialized accounting services in metropolitan areas. Kansas has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that professionals must navigate to practice effectively, which can impact salary potential. The demand for accountants is driven by the need for financial reporting, tax preparation, and compliance services across various sectors in the state. With a total employment figure of 5,601 accountants, Kansas exhibits a projected annual growth rate of 2.61%, indicating a steady job market outlook. Key cities such as Wichita, with an average salary of $81,339, and Lawrence at $81,113, also play a significant role in shaping the employment landscape. Understanding these factors can help aspiring accountants make informed career decisions in Kansas.
Kansas Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $49,980 (lowest entry-level) to $136,943 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas accountants earn 7.69% less than the national median ($-6,605/year difference).
Kansas Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Kansas range from $53,488 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $129,981 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $79,259. The Kansas median is $6,605 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $38.10/hr. Approximately 5,601 accountants are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,747
2025 BLS Actual
$77,243
2026 Current Est.
$79,259
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,747 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,828 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,064 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,443 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,959 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,243 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 25.1% from $61,747 (2019) to $77,243 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,580 (31.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wichita | $81,339 | 88.946 | $91,448 |
| Kansas City | $82,651 | 90.9 | $90,925 |
| Lawrence | $81,113 | 90.243 | $89,883 |
| Topeka | $78,271 | 88.82 | $88,123 |
| Overland Park | $79,326 | 90.9 | $87,267 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,488 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $79,259 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $129,981 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $82,651 |
| 2 | Wichita | $81,339 |
| 3 | Lawrence | $81,113 |
| 4 | Overland Park | $79,326 |
| 5 | Olathe | $78,317 |
| 6 | Topeka | $78,271 |
| 7 | Lenexa | $78,126 |
| 8 | Garden City | $77,353 |
| 9 | Derby | $76,966 |
| 10 | Hutchinson | $76,354 |
| 11 | Leavenworth | $76,330 |
| 12 | Shawnee | $76,086 |
| 13 | Salina | $75,524 |
| 14 | Leawood | $75,106 |
| 15 | Dodge City | $73,840 |
| 16 | Junction City | $73,605 |
| 17 | Prairie Village | $73,294 |
| 18 | Hays | $73,077 |
| 19 | Liberal | $72,795 |
| 20 | Gardner | $72,378 |
| 21 | Emporia | $72,056 |
| 22 | Manhattan | $67,620 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.
Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Kansas?
How does Kansas accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Kansas?
How many accountants are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for accountants?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov