Accountant Salary in Providence, RI: $97,500 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Providence, RI earns a median $97,500/year (≈ $46.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $95,801 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.0% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, Rhode Island, accountants command a median annual salary of $97,500 according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This figure reflects a competitive landscape, particularly when compared to the national median of $85,864, indicating a premium of 13.55% for local professionals. Salaries in this city can vary significantly, with a range spanning from $62,202 at the 10th percentile to $153,443 at the 90th percentile, offering ample opportunity for advancement as earners progress through their careers. The data suggests that attaining a CPA license can considerably impact earning potential, allowing many accountants to transition from staff to senior roles with accompanying salary increases.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,202 | $29.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,758 | $37.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,500 | $46.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $122,301 | $58.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,443 | $73.77 |
Median Salary Position
13.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $91,241 (2026 est.). At $97,500, the local median is 13.55% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Accountant Pay Compares
Providence median: $97,500/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $86,283 | +13.00% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +13.55% more |
Accountants in Providence, RI earn a median of $97,500 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.55% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 13.00% above the Rhode Island state average of $86,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $97,500 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $95,801 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,270
2025 BLS Actual
$95,020
2026 Current Est.
$97,500
2019–2027 Growth
+27.8%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,500 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,045 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 21.4% from $78,270 (2019) to $95,020 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,045 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,775 (27.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $62,202 – $77,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,758 – $97,500 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,500 – $122,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $122,301 – $153,443 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Providence
The employment market for accountants in Providence is robust, with approximately 8,250 professionals currently filling various roles throughout the region. The cost of living index in Providence stands at 101.773, slightly above the national average, which does impact the take-home purchasing power of accountants in the area. Major employers such as the Big 4 firms—Deloitte, PwC, EY, and KPMG—tend to offer the highest compensation, though regional firms, corporate sectors, and government positions also provide strong salary options. The disparity in pay among accountants in Providence is driven by various factors, including the CPA certification and the differences between firm tiers, as well as specialization within the field, such as tax and forensic accounting. Industry trends indicate that accountants should consider both public and corporate opportunities to maximize their earning potential, especially as many individuals transition to industry roles seeking better cash compensation and work-life balance beyond the busy tax seasons.
More salary data for Providence, 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 $95,020 for accountantsin the Providence 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
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