Accountant Salary in Columbus, MS: $69,195 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Columbus, MS earns a median $69,195/year (≈ $33.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Columbus's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $80,741 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the Mississippi state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Columbus, Mississippi, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,195, reflecting the local market conditions. With a salary range spanning from $46,647 at the 10th percentile to $107,252 at the 90th percentile, there’s notable potential for growth within this profession. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS data, projected for 2026, adjusted for regional cost factors, which helps contextualize earnings against living expenses in the area. This salary range indicates that gaining a CPA license can significantly boost income, as licensed professionals typically command higher salaries compared to their unlicensed peers, enabling them to ascend more quickly from staff to senior accounting positions.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,647 | $22.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,993 | $28.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,195 | $33.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,982 | $41.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,252 | $51.56 |
Median Salary Position
19.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Columbus
In Columbus, MS, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,605 (2026 est.). At $69,195, the local median is 19.41% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Columbus: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Columbus Accountant Pay Compares
Columbus median: $69,195/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Columbus Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Mississippi Average | $73,612 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -19.41% less |
Accountants in Columbus, MS earn a median of $69,195 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.41% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 6.00% below the Mississippi state average of $73,612.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Columbus has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Columbus, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $69,195 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $80,741 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,660
2025 BLS Actual
$67,435
2026 Current Est.
$69,195
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,253 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,858 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,373 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,435 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,195 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $71,001 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Columbus metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $57,660 (2019) to $67,435 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,001 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,341 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Columbus 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) | $46,647 – $58,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,993 – $69,195 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,195 – $86,982 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,982 – $107,252 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Columbus
In the Columbus market, where only six accountants are currently employed, the job outlook remains bright, especially considering the cost-of-living index stands at 85.7, suggesting that salaries stretch further compared to national averages. However, competition for higher-paying roles often drives the variance between entry-level and senior positions. Accountants in Columbus primarily benefit from opportunities within regional CPA firms, corporate accounting departments, and sometimes boutique specialty firms. Those with CPA credentials typically see a marked increase in pay potential and job stability. For professionals aiming to maximize their earnings, pursuing opportunities with mid-tier CPA firms or transitioning to corporate roles after gaining experience in public accounting may prove advantageous, particularly given the prevalent busy-season demands that often lead to overtime incentives and bonuses at firms during peak tax periods.
More salary data for Columbus, MS:
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 $67,435 for accountantsin the Columbus 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 Columbus 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