Accountant Salary

Gaithersburg vs Salisbury: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Gaithersburg, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gaithersburg, MD
$94,535
$45.45/hr
Salisbury, MD
$78,291
$37.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGaithersburg, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$94,535$78,291
Hourly Rate$45.45$37.64
Entry Level (P10)$62,494$51,305
25th Percentile$74,411$62,931
75th Percentile$121,004$98,885
Top Earner (P90)$146,529$126,333
Total Employed14390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gaithersburg ($94,535) and Salisbury ($78,291) accountant salaries.GaithersburgSalisburyMedian Salary$94,535$78,291Entry Level (P10)$62,494$51,305Top Earner (P90)$146,529$126,333US Median $85,864

Verdict

Gaithersburg, MD offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Gaithersburg and Salisbury is $16,244 (20.75%). Gaithersburg's median is +10.10% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gaithersburg spans $84,035,Salisbury spans $75,028. Gaithersburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gaithersburg
P10 (Entry)$62,494
P25$74,411
Median$94,535
P75$121,004
P90 (Top)$146,529
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$51,305
P25$62,931
Median$78,291
P75$98,885
P90 (Top)$126,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gaithersburg ($86,491 effective) pays 5.63% more than Salisbury ($81,880 effective).

Gaithersburg
Nominal: $94,535
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $86,491
Salisbury
Nominal: $78,291
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $81,880

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gaithersburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($94,535/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($146,529)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,491)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Gaithersburg grew -9.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 24.2% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Gaithersburg, MD

+-9.0%

$101,291 (2024) → $92,130 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+24.2%

$61,430 (2019) → $76,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Gaithersburg or Salisbury?

Gaithersburg has a higher median accountant salary at $94,535/year, compared to Salisbury at $78,291/year — a difference of $16,244 (20.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gaithersburg and Salisbury?

Gaithersburg accountants earn $45.45/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $37.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gaithersburg to Salisbury as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gaithersburg and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gaithersburg = $86,491, Salisbury = $81,880), job availability (14 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Gaithersburg vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $62,494 in Gaithersburg and $51,305 in Salisbury. The Gaithersburg 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