Accountant Salary in Greensboro, NC: $82,262 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Greensboro, NC earns a median $82,262/year (≈ $39.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Greensboro's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $88,582 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Greensboro, North Carolina, those with a CPA license are likely to see a significant boost in their income, reflected in the projected median salary of $82,262 for accountants in 2026. The salary spectrum ranges from $54,086 at the lower end to an impressive $139,868 for those at the upper tier. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting a consistent job market where achieving seniority and licensure can unlock greater earning potential. As the local economy grows, the value placed on certified accountants continues to rise, especially in a city where reaching higher income brackets is attainable.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,086 | $26.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,640 | $31.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,262 | $39.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,166 | $51.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,868 | $67.24 |
Median Salary Position
4.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greensboro
In Greensboro, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $85,782 (2026 est.). At $82,262, the local median is 4.2% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greensboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greensboro Accountant Pay Compares
Greensboro median: $82,262/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greensboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,649 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -4.20% less |
Accountants in Greensboro, NC earn a median of $82,262 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 2.00% above the North Carolina state average of $80,649.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greensboro has a cost of living 7.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greensboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.865 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $82,262 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,582 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.68% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,080
2025 BLS Actual
$80,170
2026 Current Est.
$82,262
2019–2027 Growth
+22.2%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Greensboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,170 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,262 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,409 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greensboro metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 16.1% from $69,080 (2019) to $80,170 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,409 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,329 (22.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greensboro 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) | $54,086 – $65,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,640 – $82,262 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,262 – $107,166 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,166 – $139,868 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Greensboro
With approximately 3,300 accountants working in Greensboro, the local job market remains robust despite a cost-of-living index at 92.865, which offers affordable living compared to national averages. Major payers in the area include Big 4 public accounting firms, such as Deloitte and PwC, which typically offer higher starting salaries, alongside regional CPA firms and positions within corporate accounting departments. The earnings gap between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including public firm prestige, CPA licensure, and specialized roles within tax and forensic accounting, which command additional pay premiums. To maximize compensation in Greensboro's market, accountants should consider pursuing licensure, gaining experience in prestigious firms, and developing niche skills that align with industry trends.
More salary data for Greensboro, 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 $80,170 for accountantsin the Greensboro 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