Accountant Salary in North Carolina: $87,819 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Carolina's 45 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $87,819/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because North Carolina sits at BEA RPP 93.6 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,824 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Concord ($94,430), Charlotte ($92,910), Gastonia ($90,929).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in North Carolina is projected to be $87,819, slightly above the national median of $85,864 by 2.3%. The salary landscape varies significantly across the state, with Concord leading at $96,895 and Leland at the lower end with $74,855, resulting in a salary gap of $22,040. This difference can be attributed to the cost of living, demand for skilled accountants in urban areas, and varying levels of industry competition. North Carolina has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that influence the job market. Professionals must adhere to the state's regulations for certification and continuing education, which can impact salary levels and job opportunities. Demand drivers such as the growth of the financial services sector and the expansion of businesses in metropolitan areas are contributing to the positive job outlook, with an annual growth rate of 2.61% for accountant positions. Overall, the job market for accountants in North Carolina is strong, with 41,954 accountants employed statewide. The top salary cities reflect economic activity and demand, with Charlotte at $95,335 and Durham at $87,311, highlighting the diverse opportunities available in the field across the state.
North Carolina Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Carolina: $46,164 (lowest entry-level) to $171,697 (highest top earner)
North Carolina vs National Average
North Carolina accountants earn 2.28% more than the national median (+$1,955/year difference).
North Carolina Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in North Carolina range from $57,839 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $152,090 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $87,819. The North Carolina median is $1,955 above the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $42.22/hr. Approximately 41,954 accountants are employed across 45 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$72,496
2025 BLS Actual
$85,585
2026 Current Est.
$87,819
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in North Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,496 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,685 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,738 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,566 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,724 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,266 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,819 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,111 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Carolina metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 18.1% from $72,496 (2019) to $85,585 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,111 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,615 (24.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Carolina 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 North Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in North Carolina
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Leland | $74,855 |
| Jacksonville | $75,665 |
| Carrboro | $75,977 |
| Indian Trail | $76,275 |
| Boone | $76,941 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in North Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concord | $96,895 | 93.6 | $103,520 |
| Gastonia | $93,302 | 93.6 | $99,682 |
| Charlotte | $95,335 | 97.348 | $97,932 |
| Chapel Hill | $88,040 | 93.6 | $94,060 |
| Hickory | $79,512 | 88.486 | $89,858 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,839 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $87,819 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $152,090 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 45 Cities in North Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Concord | $96,895 |
| 2 | Charlotte | $95,335 |
| 3 | Gastonia | $93,302 |
| 4 | Chapel Hill | $88,040 |
| 5 | Durham | $87,311 |
| 6 | Raleigh | $84,089 |
| 7 | Cary | $83,689 |
| 8 | Winston-Salem | $83,543 |
| 9 | Asheville | $82,498 |
| 10 | Burlington | $82,416 |
| 11 | Greensboro | $82,262 |
| 12 | Huntersville | $81,473 |
| 13 | Kannapolis | $81,346 |
| 14 | Apex | $81,154 |
| 15 | Winston | $81,011 |
| 16 | High Point | $80,995 |
| 17 | Fayetteville | $80,610 |
| 18 | Wilmington | $79,954 |
| 19 | Statesville | $79,940 |
| 20 | Kernersville | $79,872 |
| 21 | Matthews | $79,684 |
| 22 | Cornelius | $79,546 |
| 23 | Hickory | $79,512 |
| 24 | Sanford | $79,478 |
| 25 | Wake Forest | $79,476 |
| 26 | Morrisville | $79,440 |
| 27 | Fuquay-Varina | $79,227 |
| 28 | Salisbury | $79,215 |
| 29 | Thomasville | $79,084 |
| 30 | New Bern | $79,052 |
| 31 | Mint Hill | $79,033 |
| 32 | Rocky Mount | $78,969 |
| 33 | Holly Springs | $77,782 |
| 34 | Pinehurst | $77,727 |
| 35 | Mooresville | $77,538 |
| 36 | Monroe | $77,507 |
| 37 | Garner | $77,332 |
| 38 | Wilson | $77,276 |
| 39 | Greenville | $77,101 |
| 40 | Goldsboro | $76,958 |
| 41 | Boone | $76,941 |
| 42 | Indian Trail | $76,275 |
| 43 | Carrboro | $75,977 |
| 44 | Jacksonville | $75,665 |
| 45 | Leland | $74,855 |
More North Carolina Salary Data
Compare Cities in North Carolina
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in North Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in North Carolina?
How does North Carolina accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in North Carolina?
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Which North Carolina 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 North Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 45 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