Accountant Salary in Pennsylvania: $83,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $83,169/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $85,389 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($85,990), Bethlehem ($80,341), Allentown ($78,430).
In Pennsylvania, accounting professionals can expect an average median salary of $83,168 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $85,864, marking a difference of 3.1%. Philadelphia stands out as the highest-paying city for accountants, offering an average salary of $88,234, whereas Altoona offers the lowest at $67,405, creating a salary gap of $20,829. This disparity is primarily driven by the concentration of large firms, corporate headquarters, and urban demand for specialized accounting services in metropolitan areas like Philadelphia. The state has specific licensing requirements for accountants, including CPA certification, which influences salary potential and job responsibilities. Pennsylvania's Economic and Industrial growth contributes to the demand for qualified accountants, bolstering job opportunities in various sectors. With a projected growth rate of 2.61% annually, the employment landscape for accountants appears stable. Key cities such as Bethlehem, Allentown, Easton, and Pittsburgh offer average salaries ranging from $78,948 to $82,438, reflecting varying local economic conditions and competition for talent. Overall, the accountant job market in Pennsylvania presents a solid outlook, with consistent demand for skilled professionals across its diverse metropolitan regions.
Pennsylvania Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $43,599 (lowest entry-level) to $143,059 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania accountants earn 3.14% less than the national median ($-2,695/year difference).
Pennsylvania Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in Pennsylvania range from $56,264 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $133,935 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $83,169. The Pennsylvania median is $2,695 below the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $39.98/hr. Approximately 55,410 accountants are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,247
2025 BLS Actual
$81,053
2026 Current Est.
$83,169
2019–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,247 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,644 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,186 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,139 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,053 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,340 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 13.8% from $71,247 (2019) to $81,053 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,340 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,093 (19.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Altoona | $67,405 |
| West Chester | $70,718 |
| Pottstown | $71,240 |
| Johnstown | $71,694 |
| Williamsport | $71,704 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia | $88,234 | 102.554 | $86,037 |
| Bethlehem | $82,438 | 97.4 | $84,639 |
| Johnstown | $71,694 | 85.929 | $83,434 |
| Pittsburgh | $78,948 | 94.671 | $83,392 |
| Lebanon | $76,126 | 93.214 | $81,668 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $56,264 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $83,169 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $133,935 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $88,234 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $82,438 |
| 3 | Allentown | $80,477 |
| 4 | Easton | $79,096 |
| 5 | Pittsburgh | $78,948 |
| 6 | Harrisburg | $78,507 |
| 7 | Lancaster | $78,096 |
| 8 | Reading | $77,522 |
| 9 | York | $77,122 |
| 10 | Lebanon | $76,126 |
| 11 | State College | $74,946 |
| 12 | Wilkes-Barre | $74,334 |
| 13 | Gettysburg | $73,961 |
| 14 | Hazleton | $73,303 |
| 15 | Norristown | $73,162 |
| 16 | Chester | $72,992 |
| 17 | Chambersburg | $72,330 |
| 18 | Scranton | $72,320 |
| 19 | New Castle | $72,268 |
| 20 | Erie | $71,827 |
| 21 | Williamsport | $71,704 |
| 22 | Johnstown | $71,694 |
| 23 | Pottstown | $71,240 |
| 24 | West Chester | $70,718 |
| 25 | Altoona | $67,405 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore accountant hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Accountant Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for accountants in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania accountant pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level accountant salary in Pennsylvania?
How many accountants are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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