Accountant Salary

Lawton vs Tulsa: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Lawton, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lawton, OK
$73,387
$35.29/hr
Tulsa, OK
$83,442
$40.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLawton, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$73,387$83,442
Hourly Rate$35.29$40.11
Entry Level (P10)$45,210$52,034
25th Percentile$55,399$65,588
75th Percentile$85,967$106,961
Top Earner (P90)$112,974$136,461
Total Employed2805,110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lawton ($73,387) and Tulsa ($83,442) accountant salaries.LawtonTulsaMedian Salary$73,387$83,442Entry Level (P10)$45,210$52,034Top Earner (P90)$112,974$136,461US Median $85,864

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lawton.

The salary gap between Lawton and Tulsa is $10,055 (13.70%). Tulsa's median is -2.82% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lawton spans $67,764,Tulsa spans $84,427. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced accountants.

Lawton
P10 (Entry)$45,210
P25$55,399
Median$73,387
P75$85,967
P90 (Top)$112,974
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$52,034
P25$65,588
Median$83,442
P75$106,961
P90 (Top)$136,461

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($93,530 effective) pays 9.53% more than Lawton ($85,392 effective).

Lawton
Nominal: $73,387
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $85,392
Tulsa
Nominal: $83,442
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $93,530

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lawton if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,442/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($136,461)
  • Larger job market (5,110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $93,530)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Lawton grew 18.3% from 2020 to 2025, compared to 17.7% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Lawton, OK

+18.3%

$60,450 (2020) → $71,520 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+17.7%

$69,070 (2019) → $81,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Lawton or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median accountant salary at $83,442/year, compared to Lawton at $73,387/year — a difference of $10,055 (13.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lawton and Tulsa?

Lawton accountants earn $35.29/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $40.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lawton to Tulsa as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lawton and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lawton = $85,392, Tulsa = $93,530), job availability (280 vs 5,110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Lawton vs Tulsa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $45,210 in Lawton and $52,034 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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