Accountant Salary in Kernersville, NC: $79,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Kernersville, NC earns a median $79,872/year (≈ $38.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Kernersville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $85,333 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Kernersville, North Carolina, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,872, reflecting a slight dip when compared to the national median of $85,864. The salary range spans from $54,961 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $123,801 for those at the upper tier (90th percentile), providing a balanced overview of compensation expectations within the local job market. These figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and account for regional cost adjustments, which illustrate a cost of living index of 93.6, indicating a generally affordable environment compared to the national average. With only six accountants currently employed in Kernersville, this distinct market offers a unique dynamic for professionals considering entrance into the local accounting scene.
About the Kernersville Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,961 | $26.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,224 | $30.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,872 | $38.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,235 | $49.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,801 | $59.52 |
Median Salary Position
6.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kernersville
In Kernersville, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,840 (2026 est.). At $79,872, the local median is 6.98% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kernersville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kernersville Accountant Pay Compares
Kernersville median: $79,872/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kernersville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,597 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.98% less |
Accountants in Kernersville, NC earn a median of $79,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.98% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 0.90% below the North Carolina state average of $80,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kernersville 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.
Kernersville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,872 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,333 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,557
2025 BLS Actual
$77,840
2026 Current Est.
$79,872
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Kernersville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,557 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,426 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,859 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,556 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,194 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,840 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,956 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kernersville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $66,557 (2019) to $77,840 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,956 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,399 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kernersville 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) | $54,961 – $64,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,224 – $79,872 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,872 – $102,235 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,235 – $123,801 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Kernersville
Salary dynamics in Kernersville are shaped by various factors including local employment opportunities and cost of living. Given the low population of accountants, competition could be minimal, yet those seeking higher compensation might find better-paying positions within larger firms like the Big 4, or in regional and mid-tier CPA firms. Corporate accounting departments often provide attractive salaries for positions such as controllers, while public accounting firms may offer higher starting salaries due to their busy season demands and prestige. Understanding the market can help individuals maximize their earnings, particularly those eager to move from public to industry roles which typically yield higher cash compensations but may come with trade-offs in professional prestige. For accountants in Kernersville, aligning specialties and seeking opportunities for promotion within firms will be key strategies for career advancement and better salary outcomes.
More salary data for Kernersville, 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 $77,840 for accountantsin the Kernersville 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 Kernersville 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