Entry-Level Accountant Salary in Moore, OK: $49,238 (2026)
Quick Answer:New accountants entering the Moore, OK job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $49,238 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 13-2011, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moore's local price level (BEA RPP 88.9 — 11% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $55,386 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($76,330) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Moore, Oklahoma offers entry-level accountants a starting salary of approximately $49,238 in 2026. For new graduates, this figure falls significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $76,330, indicating a considerable gap to bridge early in one's career. However, the growth trajectory for new accountants is promising; the pay is expected to increase to around $59,400 as entry-level professionals gain experience, eventually leading to the median earnings within a few years. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.61%, Moore presents a viable market for those entering the accounting field. Graduates should approach job searches with realistic expectations about early-career pay while keeping in mind the potential for salary growth as they develop their skills and experience.
About the Moore Market
Salary estimated from Oklahoma average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moore
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 Moore
Entry-level accountants in Moore, OK typically start between $49,238 and $59,400 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,072 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $76,330 — 11.1% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average accounting program cost in Oklahoma of $40,000 represents just 81.24% of the starting accountant pay ($49,238/year) in Moore. 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 Moore
- 1Research the Moore market: entry-level accountant pay ranges from $49,238 to $59,400, 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 OK often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moore, 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 Moore for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moore's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Accountant Compensation Range
The accountant wage spread in Moore is $69,072 ( 140.28%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $49,238, experienced hygienists can earn up to $118,310.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$38,101
2025 BLS Actual
$47,986
2026 Current Est.
$49,238
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Moore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,101 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,735 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,596 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,206 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,692 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,986 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,238 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,524 | Projected |
Entry-level accountant compensation (10th percentile) in Moore, OK grew 25.9% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $38,101 in 2019 to $47,986 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $50,524. New graduates entering the Moore job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moore 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 Moore
In Moore, several employers actively recruit new accounting graduates, creating a solid foundation for entry-level talent. While Big 4 firms often attract freshly minted accountants through structured campus recruitment, mid-tier public firms tend to offer a faster track to partnership with a distinctive culture that may appeal to some graduates. Corporate accounting departments may hire seasoned public accounting professionals for senior roles, reinforcing the importance of gaining that initial public experience. To enhance their starting salaries, new graduates should pursue relevant credentials, such as obtaining a CPA license—a requirement in Oklahoma that entails passing the Uniform CPA Exam and completing state-specific experience guidelines. Entry-level accountants should also plan for the busy tax season from January to April, which is notorious for long work weeks, while keeping in mind that nearly 60% of those at public firms transition to industry roles within the first five years. This shift often leads to higher immediate compensation in controllership positions, even though such roles may come with different prestige levels compared to advancing within a public accounting firm.
More salary data for Moore, OK:
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 Moore. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moore 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