Accountant Salary in Jacksonville, NC: $75,665 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Jacksonville, NC earns a median $75,665/year (≈ $36.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Jacksonville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.1), that paycheck buys what $82,169 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Jacksonville, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $75,665, which is notably lower than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a -11.88% gap. The salary range for this profession varies significantly, from $47,898 at the 10th percentile to $127,739 at the 90th percentile, indicating that those with advanced skills and experience can attain lucrative positions within the market. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Jacksonville’s market for accountants reveals a distinct divide influenced by the presence of large firms, regional companies, and corporate structures, shaping salary expectations and opportunities across different sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,898 | $23.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,195 | $27.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,665 | $36.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,018 | $46.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,739 | $61.41 |
Median Salary Position
11.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jacksonville
In Jacksonville, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,841 (2026 est.). At $75,665, the local median is 11.88% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jacksonville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jacksonville Accountant Pay Compares
Jacksonville median: $75,665/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jacksonville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,580 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -11.88% less |
Accountants in Jacksonville, NC earn a median of $75,665 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.88% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 6.10% below the North Carolina state average of $80,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jacksonville has a cost of living 7.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jacksonville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.085 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $75,665 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,169 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.6% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,280
2025 BLS Actual
$73,740
2026 Current Est.
$75,665
2019–2027 Growth
+26.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Jacksonville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,665 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,639 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jacksonville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.3% from $61,280 (2019) to $73,740 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,639 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,359 (26.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jacksonville 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) | $47,898 – $57,195 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,195 – $75,665 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,665 – $97,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,018 – $127,739 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Jacksonville
In an area with approximately 360 accountants employed, the job market in Jacksonville demonstrates moderate strength, supported by a cost of living index of 92.085, below the national average. This comparatively low cost of living improves purchasing power for accountants, allowing them potentially to stretch their earnings further. Among employers, the highest salaries are typically found within Big 4 accounting firms, like Deloitte and PwC, though regional and mid-tier firms also present competitive compensation for mid-level positions. The disparity in pay is driven by factors including the CPA license, which opens doors to higher salary brackets, and the differing compensation structures between public accounting and corporate roles. Accountants aiming to maximize their income in Jacksonville should consider specializing in high-demand areas such as tax, forensic accounting, or valuation, as niche skills often attract premium pay.
More salary data for Jacksonville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $73,740 for accountantsin the Jacksonville 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