Accountant Salary in Emporia, KS: $72,056 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Emporia, KS earns a median $72,056/year (≈ $34.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Emporia's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $79,270 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, an accountant in Emporia, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $72,056, a figure that is notably lower than the national median of $85,864. The salary range for accountants in this region spans from $52,470 at the 10th percentile to $111,687 at the 90th percentile, revealing a significant potential for variation based on experience and specific roles within the accounting field. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and take into account regional pricing adjustments, reflecting the unique economic conditions of Emporia. The local market tends to favor positions within corporate accounting departments or smaller CPA practices, as larger firms and the Big 4, although present, dominate the higher-end salaries, leading to a structural divide in pay across the sector.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,470 | $25.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,805 | $28.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,056 | $34.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,231 | $44.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $111,687 | $53.70 |
Median Salary Position
16.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Emporia
In Emporia, KS, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,217 (2026 est.). At $72,056, the local median is 16.08% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Emporia: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Emporia Accountant Pay Compares
Emporia median: $72,056/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Emporia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $78,067 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -16.08% less |
Accountants in Emporia, KS earn a median of $72,056 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.08% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $78,067.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Emporia has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Emporia, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $72,056 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,270 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% 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
$60,044
2025 BLS Actual
$70,223
2026 Current Est.
$72,056
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Emporia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,730 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,456 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,421 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,056 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Emporia metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $60,044 (2019) to $70,223 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,892 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Emporia 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) | $52,470 – $59,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,805 – $72,056 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,056 – $92,231 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,231 – $111,687 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Emporia
The job market for accountants in Emporia is relatively small, with only five accountants currently employed in the area. This size creates an environment where competition may be less fierce, which impacts salary levels and employment opportunities. The cost of living index for Emporia stands at 90.9, suggesting that while salaries may be lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power remains reasonable due to the comparative affordability of life in the area. Employers within the region, from local CPA firms to corporate positions, tend to pay varying salaries influenced by credentials like CPA licenses and the experience level of employees. Entry-level positions typically do not command high wages, but as professionals transition to senior roles or develop specialties in tax or forensic accounting, pay can significantly increase. To enhance earning potential in Emporia, accountants should focus on gaining relevant certifications, considering part-time roles with public firms during peak season to accumulate experience and explore opportunities within industry roles that promise higher base compensation.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Emporia, KS in 2026?
Is Emporia, KS a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Emporia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Emporia?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Emporia?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $70,223 for accountantsin the Emporia 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 Emporia 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