Accountant Salary in Metairie, LA: $80,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Metairie, LA earns a median $80,266/year (≈ $38.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $88,888 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.5% above the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
As of 2026, an accountant in Metairie, Louisiana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $80,266, which falls below the national average of $85,864. The salary for accountants in this area offers a range, with entry-level positions starting around $50,198, while seasoned professionals can command salaries as high as $124,412. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities. While Metairie might not attract the highest compensation relative to the national market, the local job landscape reflects an opportunity for salary growth, particularly as many accountants transition from public firms into higher-paying industry roles over the course of their careers.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,198 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,006 | $31.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,266 | $38.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,740 | $49.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,412 | $59.81 |
Median Salary Position
6.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie
In Metairie, LA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,214 (2026 est.). At $80,266, the local median is 6.52% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Metairie Accountant Pay Compares
Metairie median: $80,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Metairie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $73,302 | +9.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.52% less |
Accountants in Metairie, LA earn a median of $80,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.52% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 9.50% above the Louisiana state average of $73,302.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $80,266 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,888 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,885
2025 BLS Actual
$78,224
2026 Current Est.
$80,266
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,885 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,213 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,672 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,361 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $66,885 (2019) to $78,224 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,361 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,476 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $50,198 – $66,006 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,006 – $80,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,266 – $102,740 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,740 – $124,412 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Metairie
The local accounting job market in Metairie consists of approximately 23 accountants, creating a modest but stable environment. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, take-home pay holds considerable value for accountants, allowing for decent purchasing power compared to larger metropolitan areas. High salaries can be found at Big 4 firms, where entry-level associates may quickly escalate their earnings by transitioning to industry positions after a few years. Consequently, obtaining a CPA license can significantly impact salary potential, with those working in specialized areas such as tax or forensic accounting enjoying even more upward mobility. To maximize compensation in Metairie, aspiring accountants should consider gaining experience in public accounting before moving to corporate roles, taking advantage of the dynamic between busy-season workloads and opportunities for overtime or bonuses in the public sector.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $78,224 for accountantsin the Metairie metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Metairie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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