Accountant Salary in Clarksville, TN: $74,659 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Clarksville, TN earns a median $74,659/year (≈ $35.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Clarksville's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $82,091 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Clarksville, Tennessee, the projected accountant salary for 2026 stands at $74,659, significantly lower than the national median of $85,864. The range for accountant compensation spans from $47,693 at the 10th percentile to as much as $120,146 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse pay scale influenced by factors such as employer type and level of experience. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, reveals the competitive salary landscape for accountants. While the Big 4 firms generally offer the highest compensation, regional and local firms also provide attractive pay packages, albeit at lower levels than their larger counterparts. Understanding these dynamics is essential for aspiring accountants in Clarksville, especially as they navigate their entry into the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,693 | $22.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,663 | $29.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,659 | $35.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,746 | $40.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,146 | $57.76 |
Median Salary Position
13.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Clarksville
In Clarksville, TN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,453 (2026 est.). At $74,659, the local median is 13.05% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Clarksville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Clarksville Accountant Pay Compares
Clarksville median: $74,659/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Clarksville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,028 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -13.05% less |
Accountants in Clarksville, TN earn a median of $74,659 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.05% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.80% below the Tennessee state average of $76,028.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Clarksville has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Clarksville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 90.947 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,659 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,091 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,950
2025 BLS Actual
$72,760
2026 Current Est.
$74,659
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,760 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,659 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,608 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Clarksville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 34.9% from $53,950 (2019) to $72,760 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,608 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,658 (42.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clarksville 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) | $47,693 – $60,663 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,663 – $74,659 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,659 – $84,746 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,746 – $120,146 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Clarksville
With roughly 510 accountants currently employed in the area, Clarksville's job market shows moderate strength, providing ample opportunities for both new graduates and seasoned professionals. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 90.947 suggests that although the local accountant pay may seem lower than the national average, it can still allow for a comfortable lifestyle. Employers within the region, from mid-tier CPA firms to corporate accounting departments, influence compensation significantly. The disparities in pay can often be attributed to the type of employer, the level of the CPA designation, and specific roles within the industry, such as tax or forensic accounting, which command higher salaries. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Clarksville, pursuing advanced certifications, considering positions at larger firms, or targeting roles in high-demand specialties may lead to greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Clarksville, TN in 2026?
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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 $72,760 for accountantsin the Clarksville 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