Accountant Salary in Burlington, NC: $82,416 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Burlington, NC earns a median $82,416/year (≈ $39.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $88,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $82,416 for accountants in Burlington, North Carolina, professionals in this region can expect competitive compensation relative to the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this occupation varies considerably, with entry-level positions beginning at approximately $53,183 and experienced accountants earning up to $133,865. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, reflect the increase in earning potential associated with obtaining a CPA license and advancing from staff to senior roles. As the job market continues to grow, skilled accountants will find ample opportunities to enhance their career while contributing to Burlington’s economic development.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,183 | $25.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,090 | $30.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,416 | $39.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,154 | $49.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,865 | $64.36 |
Median Salary Position
4.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,682 (2026 est.). At $82,416, the local median is 4.02% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Accountant Pay Compares
Burlington median: $82,416/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,642 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -4.02% less |
Accountants in Burlington, NC earn a median of $82,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.20% above the North Carolina state average of $80,642.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $82,416 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,760
2025 BLS Actual
$80,320
2026 Current Est.
$82,416
2019–2027 Growth
+23.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,416 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,567 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 16.8% from $68,760 (2019) to $80,320 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,567 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,807 (22.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $53,183 – $64,090 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,090 – $82,416 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,416 – $103,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,154 – $133,865 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Burlington
In Burlington, the local job market currently employs around 430 accountants, showcasing a moderate demand for financial expertise within the area. The cost of living index here is 93.196, which is lower than the national average, indicating that take-home pay can stretch further compared to many other regions. Employers in Burlington range from the prestigious Big 4 public accounting firms to local CPA practices, with the former typically offering the highest salaries. The variation in accountant pay in Burlington, NC, can be influenced by factors such as CPA licensure, firm size, and specialization in areas like tax or forensic accounting. To maximize earnings, accountants should focus on obtaining their CPA certification and consider transitioning from public accounting to industry roles, where compensation often includes bonuses and greater flexibility in work-life balance. These strategic career moves, especially during busy tax seasons, can significantly enhance overall financial prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Burlington, 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 $80,320 for accountantsin the Burlington 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