Accountant Salary in Tucson, AZ: $78,312 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Tucson, AZ earns a median $78,312/year (≈ $37.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $80,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, an accountant in Tucson, Arizona, can expect a median annual salary of $78,312, reflecting a modest variance when compared to the national median of $85,864. The projected salary range for accountants in the region spans from $53,952 at the 10th percentile to $124,774 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse earning potential within the profession. These figures derive from official BLS OEWS surveys and underscore the ongoing transition from public accounting roles to industry positions in Tucson, where job opportunities are projected to grow at a rate of 2.61% annually. As the market continues to evolve, an accountant's lifetime earnings will increasingly hinge on specialization and experience in the local context.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,952 | $25.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,054 | $30.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,312 | $37.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,054 | $47.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $124,774 | $59.99 |
Median Salary Position
8.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,822 (2026 est.). At $78,312, the local median is 8.8% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tucson Accountant Pay Compares
Tucson median: $78,312/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.80% less |
Accountants in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $78,312 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.80% lower than the national median of $85,864.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,312 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$63,250
2025 BLS Actual
$76,320
2026 Current Est.
$78,312
2019–2027 Growth
+27.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,312 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.7% from $63,250 (2019) to $76,320 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,106 (27.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,952 – $63,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,054 – $78,312 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,312 – $98,054 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,054 – $124,774 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Tucson
The job market for accountants in Tucson is thriving, with approximately 2,570 professionals currently employed in various capacities. The city's cost-of-living index stands at 96.896, suggesting a relatively affordable environment that enhances take-home purchasing power. Given the disparity in salaries, it's essential to consider employers that provide the most competitive pay, such as Big 4 firms like Deloitte, which tend to offer superior salaries compared to mid-tier and smaller firms. Factors that influence the salary range include CPA licensing—a key determinant of earning potential—and the prestige associated with employers along the public accounting spectrum, from high-tier firms to government roles. Maximizing pay in Tucson's accounting market can entail strategically pursuing certifications, tapping into niche specialties like forensic accounting, and capitalizing on performance bonuses during peak busy seasons. The professional journey from public to private sectors also remains a fruitful avenue for increasing overall compensation.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Tucson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Tucson?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Tucson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,320 for accountantsin the Tucson metropolitan area. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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