Accountant Salary in Newark, NJ: $108,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Newark, NJ earns a median $108,568/year (≈ $52.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Newark's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $94,243 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Newark, New Jersey, earn a median annual salary of $108,568, reflecting nearly 26.44% more than the national median of $85,864. The overall salary range for the profession in this city spans from $65,706 at the lower end (P10) to $168,279 at the upper end (P90), indicating a significant diversity in pay based on experience and the specific sector of employment. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, which highlight the nuanced divides in compensation among different employer types. The competitive salary reflects the city's role as a hub for both corporate finance and public accounting, with various firms offering distinct compensation structures that impact the available options for accountants.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($98,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,706 | $31.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,720 | $42.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $108,568 | $52.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $138,967 | $66.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $168,279 | $80.91 |
Median Salary Position
26.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, NJ, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,573 (2026 est.). At $108,568, the local median is 26.44% above the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newark Accountant Pay Compares
Newark median: $108,568/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $98,878 | +9.80% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | +26.44% more |
Accountants in Newark, NJ earn a median of $108,568 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.44% higher than the national median of $85,864 and 9.80% above the New Jersey state average of $98,878.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newark, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $108,568 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $94,243 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$90,469
2025 BLS Actual
$105,806
2026 Current Est.
$108,568
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $90,469 | Actual |
| 2020 | $93,010 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,676 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,624 | Actual |
| 2023 | $101,001 | Actual |
| 2024 | $118,716 | Actual |
| 2025 | $105,806 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $108,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $111,401 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $90,469 (2019) to $105,806 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $111,401 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,932 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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) | $65,706 – $87,720 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,720 – $108,568 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $108,568 – $138,967 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $138,967 – $168,279 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Newark
In Newark, the job market features 61 accountants, which helps create a dense professional community where opportunities can thrive. The local cost of living index stands at 115.2, suggesting that while salaries are higher than the national average, living expenses also reflect this increase, influencing take-home buying power. Among local employers, the Big 4 public accounting firms typically provide the top salaries, often followed by regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments in industries that maintain robust financial operations. The wide salary range can be attributed to factors such as the CPA license's impact on initial pay, the prestige and pay scales of the Big 4 versus regional firms, and specialized roles like tax or forensic accounting that command premiums. For those looking to maximize their accountant pay in Newark, obtaining a CPA license, targeting higher-tier firms, and pursuing specialized niches would be strategic moves in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Newark, NJ:
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 $105,806 for accountantsin the Newark 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 Newark 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