Entry-Level Accountant Salary in Keene, NH: $61,958 (2026)
Quick Answer:New accountants entering the Keene, NH job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $61,958 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Keene's local price level (BEA RPP 107.3 — 7% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $57,743 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,271) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The entry-level accountant salary in Keene, NH, presents a unique opportunity for new graduates entering the workforce in 2026. With a projected starting salary of $61,958, fresh graduates can expect to begin their careers far below the city's median salary of $88,271. However, there is room for growth; within the first few years, one can anticipate salary hikes that push figures toward the 25th percentile, which stands at $71,857. This suggests a gradual salary progression over the initial 3-5 years as new accountants build experience and skills. Given the competitive nature of the job market and the expectations for upcoming graduates, Keene offers a reasonably favorable environment for new accounting professionals to launch their careers while closing the gap to the city’s median salary.
About the Keene Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Keene
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Keene
Entry-level accountants in Keene, NH typically start between $61,958 and $71,857 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $74,862 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,271 — 2.8% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average accounting program cost in New Hampshire of $68,000 represents just 109.75% of the starting accountant pay ($61,958/year) in Keene. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover AACSB-accredited undergraduate accounting programs at public and private universities. CPA candidates typically complete an additional 30 credit hours beyond the bachelor's degree to reach the 150-hour requirement.
CPA Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Keene
- 1Research the Keene market: entry-level accountant pay ranges from $61,958 to $71,857, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the accounting field — employers in NH often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Keene, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Keene for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Keene's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Accountant Compensation Range
The accountant wage spread in Keene is $74,862 ( 120.83%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $61,958, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,820.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,943
2025 BLS Actual
$60,382
2026 Current Est.
$61,958
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Keene (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,741 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,705 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,341 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,368 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,082 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,382 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,958 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,575 | Projected |
Entry-level accountant compensation (10th percentile) in Keene, NH grew 25.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $47,943 in 2019 to $60,382 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $63,575. New graduates entering the Keene job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Keene metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.61% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your accounting Career in Keene
In Keene, several potential employers actively seek entry-level accountants, including regional firms and corporate accounting departments. While many new grads aspire to work at Big 4 firms due to their renowned training programs and prestige, these firms primarily recruit through campus partnerships for staff associate roles. Regional firms may provide a faster path to partner roles, albeit with smaller bonuses compared to their larger counterparts. To increase earning potential, new accountants are encouraged to pursue credentials such as the CPA, which typically requires a bachelor’s degree in accounting along with passing the Uniform CPA Exam and meeting state experience prerequisites. Within the first few years, a strategic approach is essential, as many staff from public firms transition to industry positions, where industry controllership roles can be lucrative. Given the nature of auditing seasons—characterized by intense work weeks—understanding the rhythm of the profession can lead to focused career growth, setting realistic salary expectations for those newly entering the field in Keene.
More salary data for Keene, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new accounting graduates. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Keene. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Keene is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.61%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for accountants (SOC 13-2011).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Patel, CPA, a licensed accountant with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov