Accountant Salary

Evansville vs Fort Wayne: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Evansville, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$79,461
$38.20/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$77,214
$37.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$79,461$77,214
Hourly Rate$38.20$37.12
Entry Level (P10)$54,055$52,177
25th Percentile$64,234$62,961
75th Percentile$102,456$99,142
Top Earner (P90)$131,967$122,609
Total Employed1,0501,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($79,461) and Fort Wayne ($77,214) accountant salaries.EvansvilleFort WayneMedian Salary$79,461$77,214Entry Level (P10)$54,055$52,177Top Earner (P90)$131,967$122,609US Median $85,864

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Wayne.

The salary gap between Evansville and Fort Wayne is $2,247 (2.91%). Evansville's median is -7.46% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $77,912,Fort Wayne spans $70,432. Evansville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$54,055
P25$64,234
Median$79,461
P75$102,456
P90 (Top)$131,967
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$52,177
P25$62,961
Median$77,214
P75$99,142
P90 (Top)$122,609

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($86,816 effective) pays 4.08% more than Fort Wayne ($83,410 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $79,461
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $86,816
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $77,214
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $83,410

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,461/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,967)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,816)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Larger job market (1,640 employed)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Evansville grew 33.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.3% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+33.8%

$57,880 (2019) → $77,440 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+19.3%

$63,100 (2019) → $75,250 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Evansville or Fort Wayne?

Evansville has a higher median accountant salary at $79,461/year, compared to Fort Wayne at $77,214/year — a difference of $2,247 (2.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and Fort Wayne?

Evansville accountants earn $38.20/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $37.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to Fort Wayne as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $86,816, Fort Wayne = $83,410), job availability (1,050 vs 1,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Evansville vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $54,055 in Evansville and $52,177 in Fort Wayne. The Evansville 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