Accountant Salary in New York: $104,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median accountant pay sits at $104,541/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 13-2011. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $90,199 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($105,650), Poughkeepsie ($90,269), Kiryas Joel ($88,900).
In 2026, the average median salary for accountants in New York is projected to be $104,541, which is significantly higher than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a 21.8% premium. The highest-paying city in the state, New York City, has a projected salary of $108,407, while Cortland, the lowest-paying city, sees salaries around $77,589. This $30,818 disparity is influenced by factors such as the concentration of financial services, the demand for specialized accounting roles in urban centers, and the cost of living variations across the state. New York's state licensing requirements and practice laws can also affect earning potential, as accountants need to be licensed as CPAs to provide certain services, which often requires additional education and examination. The job market for accountants is projected to grow at an annual rate of 2.61%, driven by ongoing regulatory changes and the increasing complexity of financial reporting. Top cities for accountant employment in 2026, besides New York City, include Poughkeepsie at $92,625, Kiryas Joel at $91,220, Newburgh at $89,239, and Troy at $88,589. These factors indicate a steady demand for skilled accountants across diverse sectors within the state.
New York Accountant Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $53,115 (lowest entry-level) to $179,311 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York accountants earn 21.75% more than the national median (+$18,677/year difference).
New York Accountant Salary Distribution (2026)
Accountant salaries in New York range from $71,309 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $172,442 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $104,541. The New York median is $18,677 above the US national median of $85,864. The average hourly rate is $50.27/hr. Approximately 134,020 accountants are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$87,619
2025 BLS Actual
$101,882
2026 Current Est.
$104,541
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $90,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $95,779 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,381 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,374 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,225 | Actual |
| 2025 | $101,882 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $104,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $107,269 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 16.3% from $87,619 (2019) to $101,882 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $107,269 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,650 (22.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $77,589 |
| Plattsburgh | $77,823 |
| Oneonta | $78,634 |
| Amsterdam | $78,824 |
| Lackawanna | $78,862 |
Best Value Cities for Accountants in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for accountants.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $108,407 | 112.563 | $96,308 |
| Binghamton | $84,653 | 92.863 | $91,159 |
| Watertown | $79,492 | 87.69 | $90,651 |
| Utica | $81,914 | 92.678 | $88,386 |
| Syracuse | $84,376 | 95.742 | $88,129 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,309 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $104,541 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $172,442 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $108,407 |
| 2 | Poughkeepsie | $92,625 |
| 3 | Kiryas Joel | $91,220 |
| 4 | Newburgh | $89,239 |
| 5 | Troy | $88,589 |
| 6 | Albany | $86,870 |
| 7 | Yonkers | $86,434 |
| 8 | Ithaca | $85,987 |
| 9 | Schenectady | $84,983 |
| 10 | Binghamton | $84,653 |
| 11 | New Rochelle | $84,652 |
| 12 | Syracuse | $84,376 |
| 13 | Buffalo | $84,263 |
| 14 | Mount Vernon | $83,704 |
| 15 | Long Beach | $83,060 |
| 16 | Niagara Falls | $83,014 |
| 17 | Rochester | $83,001 |
| 18 | Kingston | $82,663 |
| 19 | Glens Falls | $82,437 |
| 20 | Spring Valley | $82,125 |
| 21 | White Plains | $82,016 |
| 22 | Jamestown | $81,916 |
| 23 | Utica | $81,914 |
| 24 | Valley Stream | $81,784 |
| 25 | Elmira | $81,616 |
| 26 | Middletown | $81,445 |
| 27 | Hempstead | $81,355 |
| 28 | Rome | $81,078 |
| 29 | Saratoga Springs | $80,954 |
| 30 | North Tonawanda | $80,477 |
| 31 | Auburn | $80,084 |
| 32 | Freeport | $79,855 |
| 33 | Watertown | $79,492 |
| 34 | Oswego | $79,027 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $78,862 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $78,824 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $78,634 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $77,823 |
| 39 | Cortland | $77,589 |
More New York Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced accountants.
Compare Cities in New York
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in New York in 2026?
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How does New York accountant pay compare to the national average?
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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
Statewide 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. A 2.61% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 accountant compensation across New York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 metro areas — larger metro areas with more accountantscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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