Accountant Salary

Providence vs West Warwick: Accountant Salary (2026)

Compare accountant salaries between Providence, RI and West Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Providence, RI
$97,500
$46.87/hr
West Warwick, RI
$85,308
$41.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricProvidence, RIWest Warwick, RI
Median Salary$97,500$85,308
Hourly Rate$46.87$41.01
Entry Level (P10)$62,202$58,286
25th Percentile$77,758$68,354
75th Percentile$122,301$108,895
Top Earner (P90)$153,443$132,227
Total Employed8,2507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Providence ($97,500) and West Warwick ($85,308) accountant salaries.ProvidenceWest WarwickMedian Salary$97,500$85,308Entry Level (P10)$62,202$58,286Top Earner (P90)$153,443$132,227US Median $85,864

Verdict

Providence, RI offers better overall compensation for accountants, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to West Warwick.

The salary gap between Providence and West Warwick is $12,192 (14.29%). Providence's median is +13.55% compared to the US national median of $85,864.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Providence spans $91,241,West Warwick spans $73,941. Providence has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Providence
P10 (Entry)$62,202
P25$77,758
Median$97,500
P75$122,301
P90 (Top)$153,443
West Warwick
P10 (Entry)$58,286
P25$68,354
Median$85,308
P75$108,895
P90 (Top)$132,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Providence ($95,801 effective) pays 12.86% more than West Warwick ($84,884 effective).

Providence
Nominal: $97,500
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $95,801
West Warwick
Nominal: $85,308
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $84,884

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Providence if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,500/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($153,443)
  • Larger job market (8,250 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $95,801)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose West Warwick if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, accountant salaries in Providence grew 21.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.0% growth in West Warwick over the same period.

Providence, RI

+21.4%

$78,270 (2019) → $95,020 (2025)

West Warwick, RI

+2.0%

$81,469 (2024) → $83,138 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays accountants more: Providence or West Warwick?

Providence has a higher median accountant salary at $97,500/year, compared to West Warwick at $85,308/year — a difference of $12,192 (14.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Providence and West Warwick?

Providence accountants earn $46.87/hr while West Warwick hygienists earn $41.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Providence to West Warwick as a accountant?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Providence and West Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Providence = $95,801, West Warwick = $84,884), job availability (8,250 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level accountants earn in Providence vs West Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) accountants earn $62,202 in Providence and $58,286 in West Warwick. The Providence 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