Accountant Salary in Gardner, KS: $72,378 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Gardner, KS earns a median $72,378/year (≈ $34.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $79,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Accountants in Gardner, Kansas, can expect a median annual salary of $72,378 in 2026, which reflects a difference of approximately 15.71% compared to the national median of $85,864. The local salary range spans from $53,246 at the 10th percentile to $112,186 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse compensation landscape among accounting roles in the area. These figures stem from state-level estimates, incorporating regional price adjustments, and emphasize the variations in pay based on job type and employer. Given the prevalence of smaller firms and a limited presence of large public accounting firms, the Gardner accountant job market tends to favor positions within local corporate environments and small CPA practices.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,246 | $25.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,467 | $29.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,378 | $34.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,643 | $44.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,186 | $53.93 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,940 (2026 est.). At $72,378, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Accountant Pay Compares
Gardner median: $72,378/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $78,078 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -15.71% less |
Accountants in Gardner, KS earn a median of $72,378 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $78,078.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner 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.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $72,378 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $79,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$60,312
2025 BLS Actual
$70,537
2026 Current Est.
$72,378
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $60,312 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,006 | Actual |
| 2021 | $65,117 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,749 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,334 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,692 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,378 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,267 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $60,312 (2019) to $70,537 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,267 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,955 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $53,246 – $60,467 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,467 – $72,378 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,378 – $92,643 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,643 – $112,186 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Gardner
With only six accountants currently employed in Gardner, the local job market is relatively tight, reflecting both limited opportunities and the demand for qualified professionals. The cost-of-living index for Gardner is 90.9, which indicates that while salaries might be lower than national averages, the purchasing power can be favorable in this region. In Gardner, the highest salaries typically come from corporate accounting departments, where accountants can secure stable roles with competitive pay. While Big 4 firms like Deloitte and PwC provide higher pay ranges, they are less represented in the local market, leading many new CPAs to transition from public to industry roles that may offer better work-life balance. To maximize earnings, accountants should pursue CPA licensure, seek specialization in high-demand fields such as tax and forensic accounting, and consider opportunities within government sectors, which often provide attractive benefits and pay scales for seasoned professionals.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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 $70,537 for accountantsin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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