Accountant Salary in Cranston, RI: $84,408 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Cranston, RI earns a median $84,408/year (≈ $40.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $83,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cranston, Rhode Island, the anticipated median annual salary for accountants in 2026 is projected at $84,408, slightly below the national median of $85,864. Local salary estimates indicate a broad range, with entry-level positions starting around $58,576 and top earners reaching up to $130,833. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost considerations, highlight a competitive compensation landscape for accounting professionals in the area. The timing of the public-to-industry transition can significantly impact lifetime earnings, as many accountants move into private sector roles shortly after gaining experience in public accounting, often leading to higher long-term compensation.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $58,576 | $28.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,523 | $32.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,408 | $40.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $108,042 | $51.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $130,833 | $62.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,257 (2026 est.). At $84,408, the local median is 1.7% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Accountant Pay Compares
Cranston median: $84,408/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $86,307 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -1.70% less |
Accountants in Cranston, RI earn a median of $84,408 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.70% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $86,307.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $84,408 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $83,988 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,337
2025 BLS Actual
$82,261
2026 Current Est.
$84,408
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,337 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,313 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,677 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,525 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,261 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,408 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,611 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $70,337 (2019) to $82,261 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,274 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $58,576 – $68,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,523 – $84,408 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,408 – $108,042 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $108,042 – $130,833 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Cranston
The job market for accountants in Cranston remains relatively stable, with around 12 professionals currently employed in the field. Given the local cost of living index at 100.5, salaries in the region are slightly above the national average, but the actual take-home pay may not stretch as far as it might in lower-cost areas. Among local employers, top-tier firms such as the Big 4 accounting firms typically offer the highest salaries, with significant bonuses for busy-season work and strong bonuses tied to controllership positions in corporate settings. The mix of public firm experience with tax expertise can clarify the spread between lower and higher salaries in Cranston; credentials like the CPA license prove crucial in advancing through the pay scale. As accountants look to maximize their earnings locally, seeking opportunities with larger firms or specializing in areas like tax or forensic accounting can lead to more lucrative prospects.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 $82,261 for accountantsin the Cranston 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 Cranston 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