Accountant Salary in Oak Ridge, TN: $74,594 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Oak Ridge, TN earns a median $74,594/year (≈ $35.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Oak Ridge's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $81,257 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, can expect to earn an estimated median annual salary of $74,594 in 2026, reflecting a notable variation in compensation that ranges from $49,784 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $115,621 at the 90th percentile. This figure represents a unique local economic position compared to the national median of $85,864, evidencing a pay gap of approximately 13.13%. Accountants in this area benefit from the town's specific economic drivers and cost-adjusted salary estimates based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The job market here, although comparatively smaller with just six accountants currently employed, offers growth potential amid the larger financial ecosystem of the region influenced by local and federal government agencies as well as corporate entities.
About the Oak Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,784 | $23.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,072 | $28.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,594 | $35.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,481 | $45.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,621 | $55.58 |
Median Salary Position
13.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge, TN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,837 (2026 est.). At $74,594, the local median is 13.13% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Ridge Accountant Pay Compares
Oak Ridge median: $74,594/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,039 | -1.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -13.13% less |
Accountants in Oak Ridge, TN earn a median of $74,594 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.90% below the Tennessee state average of $76,039.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Ridge has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Ridge, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,594 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,257 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,159
2025 BLS Actual
$72,697
2026 Current Est.
$74,594
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Oak Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,905 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,763 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,396 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,651 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,697 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,594 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Ridge metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $62,159 (2019) to $72,697 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,382 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Ridge 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) | $49,784 – $59,072 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,072 – $74,594 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,594 – $95,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,481 – $115,621 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Oak Ridge
In terms of local market dynamics, Oak Ridge's lower cost of living—indicated by a cost-of-living index of 91.8—means that accountant pay in Oak Ridge TN may stretch further compared to cities with higher living expenses. The salary differentials here can be attributed to various factors, including the type of employer: accounting professionals in Oak Ridge may find higher salaries in corporate accounting departments or federal agencies compared to local CPA firms. Growth in salaries may also depend on whether accountants hold CPA licenses, which can significantly affect earning potential. Entry-level professionals should consider firms with established partner tracks or those offering specialties like tax or forensic accounting, which often command premium salaries. For those looking to maximize their pay, positioning oneself strategically within the Big 4 firms or understanding busy-season demands could provide valuable pathways to higher compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Oak Ridge, TN:
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 $72,697 for accountantsin the Oak Ridge 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 Oak Ridge 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