Accountant Salary in Owensboro, KY: $79,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Owensboro, KY earns a median $79,831/year (≈ $38.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Owensboro's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.6), that paycheck buys what $90,093 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Owensboro, KY, the projected median annual salary for accountants in 2026 is set at $79,831, reflecting a competitive position within the broader market. This figure falls below the national median of $85,864, suggesting a salary variance of approximately 7.03%. The salary range for accountants in the area spans from $55,297 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $123,040 at the 90th percentile, indicating a substantial potential for income growth based on experience and specialization. These findings stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, providing a reliable benchmark for salary expectations. Given the current employment of about 250 accountants in Owensboro, it’s clear that the city offers a viable job market for professionals in the field, particularly for those with CPA licensure who can command higher salaries at senior levels.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,297 | $26.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,407 | $30.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,831 | $38.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,989 | $48.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,040 | $59.15 |
Median Salary Position
7.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owensboro
In Owensboro, KY, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,743 (2026 est.). At $79,831, the local median is 7.03% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owensboro Accountant Pay Compares
Owensboro median: $79,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $77,131 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.03% less |
Accountants in Owensboro, KY earn a median of $79,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.03% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.50% above the Kentucky state average of $77,131.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owensboro has a cost of living 11.39% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owensboro, KY has a cost-of-living index of 88.61 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,831 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $90,093 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,980
2025 BLS Actual
$77,800
2026 Current Est.
$79,831
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Owensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owensboro metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 29.7% from $59,980 (2019) to $77,800 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,934 (36.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owensboro 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) | $55,297 – $62,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,407 – $79,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,831 – $100,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,989 – $123,040 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Owensboro
Analyzing the local job market provides a deeper understanding of the financial environment for accountants in Owensboro. With a cost-of-living index of 88.61, residents experience a favorable economic condition, enhancing the purchasing power of their salaries. On the employer front, Big 4 public accounting firms generally provide the highest compensation packages, but regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments also offer competitive salaries. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as CPA licensure, which opens doors to salary increases, and the tier of the employing firm, with larger firms often compensating more compared to smaller practices. Furthermore, areas of specialization, such as tax and forensic accounting, can yield additional financial premiums. For accountants looking to maximize their earning potential, obtaining CPA certification and gaining experience in high-demand fields are advisable strategies, given that transitioning to industry roles typically occurs within the first five years post-hire at public firms.
More salary data for Owensboro, KY:
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 $77,800 for accountantsin the Owensboro 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