Accountant Salary

Hutchinson vs Topeka: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Hutchinson, KS and Topeka, KS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hutchinson, KS
$76,354
$36.71/hr
Topeka, KS
$78,271
$37.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHutchinson, KSTopeka, KS
Median Salary$76,354$78,271
Hourly Rate$36.71$37.63
Entry Level (P10)$54,585$52,885
25th Percentile$63,144$64,357
75th Percentile$96,477$97,018
Top Earner (P90)$118,349$121,162
Total Employed101,420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hutchinson ($76,354) and Topeka ($78,271) accountant salaries.HutchinsonTopekaMedian Salary$76,354$78,271Entry Level (P10)$54,585$52,885Top Earner (P90)$118,349$121,162US Median $85,864

Verdict

Topeka, KS offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hutchinson.

The salary gap between Hutchinson and Topeka is $1,917 (2.51%). Topeka's median is -8.84% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hutchinson spans $63,764,Topeka spans $68,277. Topeka has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Hutchinson
P10 (Entry)$54,585
P25$63,144
Median$76,354
P75$96,477
P90 (Top)$118,349
Topeka
P10 (Entry)$52,885
P25$64,357
Median$78,271
P75$97,018
P90 (Top)$121,162

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Topeka ($88,123 effective) pays 4.91% more than Hutchinson ($83,998 effective).

Hutchinson
Nominal: $76,354
CoL Index: 90.9
Adjusted: $83,998
Topeka
Nominal: $78,271
CoL Index: 88.82
Adjusted: $88,123

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hutchinson if…

  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Choose Topeka if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,271/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($121,162)
  • Larger job market (1,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $88,123)
  • You prefer the Kansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Hutchinson grew 16.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Topeka over the same period.

Hutchinson, KS

+16.2%

$64,025 (2024) → $74,412 (2025)

Topeka, KS

+30.9%

$58,290 (2019) → $76,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Hutchinson or Topeka?

Topeka has a higher median accountant salary at $78,271/year, compared to Hutchinson at $76,354/year — a difference of $1,917 (2.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hutchinson and Topeka?

Hutchinson accountants earn $36.71/hr while Topeka hygienists earn $37.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hutchinson to Topeka as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hutchinson and Topeka. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hutchinson = $83,998, Topeka = $88,123), job availability (10 vs 1,420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Hutchinson vs Topeka?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $54,585 in Hutchinson and $52,885 in Topeka. The Hutchinson 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