Accountant Salary

Dallas vs McAllen: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Dallas, TX and McAllen, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$84,776
$40.76/hr
McAllen, TX
$66,153
$31.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXMcAllen, TX
Median Salary$84,776$66,153
Hourly Rate$40.76$31.81
Entry Level (P10)$59,452$42,881
25th Percentile$72,956$51,777
75th Percentile$106,868$80,477
Top Earner (P90)$137,025$101,676
Total Employed37,4501,430
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($84,776) and McAllen ($66,153) accountant salaries.DallasMcAllenMedian Salary$84,776$66,153Entry Level (P10)$59,452$42,881Top Earner (P90)$137,025$101,676US Median $85,864

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to McAllen.

The salary gap between Dallas and McAllen is $18,623 (28.15%). Dallas's median is -1.27% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $77,573,McAllen spans $58,795. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$59,452
P25$72,956
Median$84,776
P75$106,868
P90 (Top)$137,025
McAllen
P10 (Entry)$42,881
P25$51,777
Median$66,153
P75$80,477
P90 (Top)$101,676

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($82,235 effective) pays 6.78% more than McAllen ($77,016 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $84,776
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $82,235
McAllen
Nominal: $66,153
CoL Index: 85.895
Adjusted: $77,016

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,776/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($137,025)
  • Larger job market (37,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,235)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose McAllen if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Dallas grew 8.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.4% growth in McAllen over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+8.2%

$76,360 (2019) → $82,620 (2025)

McAllen, TX

+12.4%

$57,380 (2019) → $64,470 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Dallas or McAllen?

Dallas has a higher median accountant salary at $84,776/year, compared to McAllen at $66,153/year — a difference of $18,623 (28.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and McAllen?

Dallas accountants earn $40.76/hr while McAllen hygienists earn $31.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to McAllen as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and McAllen. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $82,235, McAllen = $77,016), job availability (37,450 vs 1,430 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Dallas vs McAllen?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $59,452 in Dallas and $42,881 in McAllen. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

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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