Accountant Salary in Paragould, AR: $65,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Paragould, AR earns a median $65,966/year (≈ $31.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Paragould's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.9), that paycheck buys what $75,910 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Arkansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Paragould, Arkansas, find the 2026 median annual salary projected at $65,966, representing a significant contrast to the national median of $85,864. The salary range extends from $43,825 for the bottom 10% to $102,247 for the top 10%, reflecting the diverse employment landscape within the region. This local salary estimate, based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrates the influence of the area’s cost of living index, which stands at 86.9—below the national average. The local market offers intriguing compensation dynamics, especially for accountants transitioning from larger firms to the Paragould scene, revealing opportunities shaped by the structure of employers and the specialty of services provided.
About the Paragould Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,825 | $21.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,438 | $26.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,966 | $31.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,437 | $40.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,247 | $49.16 |
Median Salary Position
23.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paragould
In Paragould, AR, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,422 (2026 est.). At $65,966, the local median is 23.17% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Paragould: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Paragould Accountant Pay Compares
Paragould median: $65,966/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paragould Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $67,519 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -23.17% less |
Accountants in Paragould, AR earn a median of $65,966 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.17% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.30% below the Arkansas state average of $67,519.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paragould has a cost of living 13.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paragould, AR has a cost-of-living index of 86.9 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $65,966 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,910 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,969
2025 BLS Actual
$64,288
2026 Current Est.
$65,966
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Paragould (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,969 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,924 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,027 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,288 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,688 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paragould metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $54,969 (2019) to $64,288 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,688 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,719 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paragould 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) | $43,825 – $54,438 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,438 – $65,966 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,966 – $84,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,437 – $102,247 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Paragould
The job market for accountants in Paragould is relatively modest, with only seven professionals currently employed in this field. While the lower cost of living amplifies the take-home purchasing power for accountants in the area, making the $65,966 median salary more attractive, local compensation varies significantly based on employer type. Big 4 firms generally provide higher salaries due to brand prestige and growth potential, but regional mid-tier CPA firms and corporate accounting roles can offer competitive pay with potentially better work-life balance. CPAs who leverage their qualifications and specialize in areas such as tax, forensic accounting, or valuation often see higher earnings. Strategies to maximize accountant pay in Paragould include pursuing relevant certifications, considering government roles for stability, and refining niche skills that command premium rates in local markets.
More salary data for Paragould, AR:
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
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 $64,288 for accountantsin the Paragould 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
Salary data for Paragould 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