Accountant Salary in Apex, NC: $81,154 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Apex, NC earns a median $81,154/year (≈ $39.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Apex's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $86,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Apex, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $81,154, which falls below the national median of $85,864 and reflects a slightly lower compensation structure prevalent in this region. Salaries in this field exhibit a wide range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $53,576 and seasoned professionals commanding up to $125,790. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living conditions, which often influence annual earnings. This trend highlights how Apex's market pays significantly based on the type of employer—whether they are large firms, mid-tier CPA practices, or corporate departments—leading to a notable compensation variation that shapes the local accounting labor market.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,576 | $25.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $66,917 | $32.17 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,154 | $39.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,877 | $49.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,790 | $60.48 |
Median Salary Position
5.49% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apex
In Apex, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,214 (2026 est.). At $81,154, the local median is 5.49% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apex: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apex Accountant Pay Compares
Apex median: $81,154/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apex Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,590 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -5.49% less |
Accountants in Apex, NC earn a median of $81,154 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.49% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $80,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apex has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apex, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $81,154 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,703 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,625
2025 BLS Actual
$79,090
2026 Current Est.
$81,154
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,625 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,525 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,013 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,722 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,498 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,385 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,154 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,272 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apex metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $67,625 (2019) to $79,090 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,272 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,647 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apex 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) | $53,576 – $66,917 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $66,917 – $81,154 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,154 – $103,877 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,877 – $125,790 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Apex
The job market in Apex currently has 16 employed accountants, which presents excellent opportunities for professionals to secure positions within diverse organizations. The lower cost-of-living index of 93.6 allows accountants to enjoy a relatively higher purchasing power compared to more expensive metropolitan areas. Among the highest pay promoters in Apex are the Big 4 public accounting firms, which typically offer more competitive salaries, especially for entry-level roles that transition into lucrative career paths. However, professionals moving into corporate accounting or specialized tax services may also find rewarding compensation through performance bonuses and equity participation. The pay disparities are influenced by a range of factors including CPA licensure, experience level, and the nature of the role, such as whether it entails working in busy seasons characterized by intense hours at public firms. For those aiming to maximize their income, pursuing CPA certification and seeking opportunities in larger firms is highly recommended.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 $79,090 for accountantsin the Apex 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 Apex 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