Accountant Salary

Cornelius vs Greensboro: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Cornelius, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cornelius, NC
$79,546
$38.24/hr
Greensboro, NC
$82,262
$39.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCornelius, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$79,546$82,262
Hourly Rate$38.24$39.55
Entry Level (P10)$58,023$54,086
25th Percentile$66,637$65,640
75th Percentile$101,338$107,166
Top Earner (P90)$123,297$139,868
Total Employed73,300
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cornelius ($79,546) and Greensboro ($82,262) accountant salaries.CorneliusGreensboroMedian Salary$79,546$82,262Entry Level (P10)$58,023$54,086Top Earner (P90)$123,297$139,868US Median $85,864

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cornelius.

The salary gap between Cornelius and Greensboro is $2,716 (3.41%). Greensboro's median is -4.20% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cornelius spans $65,274,Greensboro spans $85,782. Greensboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Cornelius
P10 (Entry)$58,023
P25$66,637
Median$79,546
P75$101,338
P90 (Top)$123,297
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$54,086
P25$65,640
Median$82,262
P75$107,166
P90 (Top)$139,868

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($88,582 effective) pays 4.23% more than Cornelius ($84,985 effective).

Cornelius
Nominal: $79,546
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $84,985
Greensboro
Nominal: $82,262
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $88,582

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cornelius if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,262/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($139,868)
  • Larger job market (3,300 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,582)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Cornelius grew 4.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.1% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Cornelius, NC

+4.9%

$73,892 (2024) → $77,523 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+16.1%

$69,080 (2019) → $80,170 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Cornelius or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a higher median accountant salary at $82,262/year, compared to Cornelius at $79,546/year — a difference of $2,716 (3.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cornelius and Greensboro?

Cornelius accountants earn $38.24/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $39.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cornelius to Greensboro as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cornelius and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cornelius = $84,985, Greensboro = $88,582), job availability (7 vs 3,300 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Cornelius vs Greensboro?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $58,023 in Cornelius and $54,086 in Greensboro. The Cornelius area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Liam Chen, CMAData verified by Amina Khan, MBA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.61% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov