Accountant Salary in Sioux City, IA: $80,703 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Sioux City, IA earns a median $80,703/year (≈ $38.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Sioux City's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $93,348 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, the accountant salary is projected to reach a median of $80,703 in 2026, reflecting the vital influence of CPA licensure on compensation. With entry-level roles starting at approximately $57,564 and senior positions potentially earning up to $123,645, the salary spectrum illustrates significant value in credentials and experience. Official BLS OEWS data indicates that the growth rate for accounting jobs stands at 2.61% annually, positioning this occupation as a stable career choice within the evolving job market. Additionally, the robust demand for accounting professionals means that those with a CPA license unlock considerable pay increases, especially as they transition from staff to senior roles. This dynamic suggests that Sioux City offers promising opportunities for aspirants aiming for higher earning potential through licensure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,564 | $27.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,214 | $31.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,703 | $38.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,788 | $47.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,645 | $59.44 |
Median Salary Position
6.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux City
In Sioux City, IA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,081 (2026 est.). At $80,703, the local median is 6.01% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux City Accountant Pay Compares
Sioux City median: $80,703/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $79,432 | +1.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.01% less |
Accountants in Sioux City, IA earn a median of $80,703 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.01% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.60% above the Iowa state average of $79,432.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux City has a cost of living 13.55% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 86.454 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $80,703 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,348 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,280
2025 BLS Actual
$78,650
2026 Current Est.
$80,703
2019–2027 Growth
+37.4%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,703 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,809 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux City metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 30.5% from $60,280 (2019) to $78,650 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,809 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,529 (37.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux City 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) | $57,564 – $66,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,214 – $80,703 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,703 – $99,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,788 – $123,645 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Sioux City
Despite the competitive compensation figures, the cost of living in Sioux City remains relatively low, marked by an index of 86.454, which enhances the purchasing power of local accountants. Currently, over 520 accountants are employed in the area, serving diverse sectors from the Big 4 firms, like Deloitte and PwC, to regional CPA practices and corporate accounting departments. Salaries can vary widely based on specialization, such as tax or forensic accounting, with a noticeable pay gap existing between public and private sector roles. For those looking to maximize accountant pay in Sioux City IA, pursuing continued education and obtaining a CPA license is highly advisable, especially as it aligns with increasing job market competition and positions individuals favorably for senior or specialty roles. During busy seasons, opportunities abound for overtime, further augmenting overall earning potential, thereby reinforcing the value of commitment and excellence in this profession.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
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 $78,650 for accountantsin the Sioux City 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