Accountant Salary in Greenville, NC: $77,101 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Greenville, NC earns a median $77,101/year (≈ $37.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $87,216 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for accountants in Greenville, North Carolina, reaches $77,101, reflecting a 10.21% lower benchmark compared to the national median of $85,864. Within the local market, salaries range from $54,722 at the 10th percentile to $123,850 at the 90th percentile, offering a substantial spectrum based on experience, specialization, and workplace. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, underscore the competitive nature of the accounting profession while also illuminating the influence of the regional economic landscape compared to larger metropolitan centers. The presence of both established firms and emerging opportunities in Greenville outlines a landscape where rigorous training and credentials like the CPA license significantly affect pay scales.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,722 | $26.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,552 | $31.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,101 | $37.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,772 | $47.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,850 | $59.54 |
Median Salary Position
10.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,128 (2026 est.). At $77,101, the local median is 10.21% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Accountant Pay Compares
Greenville median: $77,101/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,650 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.21% less |
Accountants in Greenville, NC earn a median of $77,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.21% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.40% below the North Carolina state average of $80,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 11.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.402 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,101 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,216 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$63,270
2025 BLS Actual
$75,140
2026 Current Est.
$77,101
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,140 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,101 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,113 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 18.8% from $63,270 (2019) to $75,140 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,113 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,843 (25.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $54,722 – $64,552 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,552 – $77,101 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,101 – $98,772 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,772 – $123,850 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Greenville
The job market in Greenville employs around 550 accountants, a figure indicating a solid demand for accounting professionals in the region. The local cost-of-living index stands at 88.402, suggesting that salaries may stretch further in terms of purchasing power compared to areas with higher living costs. While public accounting firms, especially the Big 4, often offer the highest starting salaries, local CPA practices and corporate accounting departments can provide alternative career paths with attractive compensation, especially as professionals transition from public to industry roles where employer bonuses and managerial positions can also drive earnings. The variances in pay are frequently influenced by factors such as specialization in tax or forensic accounting, the prestige of the firm, and the potential for advancement into equity partnerships. For those looking to optimize their earning potential in this specific market, emphasizing networking, further specialization, and gaining certifications like the CPA through the AICPA may yield the best financial outcomes in the long run.
More salary data for Greenville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do accountants make in Greenville, NC in 2026?
Is Greenville, NC a good place to work as a accountant?
Can accountants make $100K in Greenville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted accountant salary in Greenville?
How much does a accountant make per hour in Greenville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $75,140 for accountantsin the Greenville 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