Accountant Salary in Matthews, NC: $79,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Matthews, NC earns a median $79,684/year (≈ $38.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $85,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected accountant salary in Matthews, NC is estimated at $79,684 per year. This figure is slightly below the national median of $85,864, reflecting the specialized dynamics of the local job market. With an annual salary range extending from $54,180 at the 10th percentile to $123,510 at the 90th percentile, professionals in this field have a diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. The estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional economic factors, highlighting that Matthews's position offers a competitive but slightly constrained financial outlook for accountants compared to broader national averages.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,180 | $26.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,840 | $30.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,684 | $38.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,678 | $48.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,510 | $59.38 |
Median Salary Position
7.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,330 (2026 est.). At $79,684, the local median is 7.2% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Accountant Pay Compares
Matthews median: $79,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,570 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -7.20% less |
Accountants in Matthews, NC earn a median of $79,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.20% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $80,570.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $79,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $85,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,400
2025 BLS Actual
$77,657
2026 Current Est.
$79,684
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,265 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,386 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,019 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,657 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,764 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $66,400 (2019) to $77,657 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,764 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,364 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $54,180 – $63,840 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,840 – $79,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,684 – $101,678 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,678 – $123,510 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Matthews
The job market for accountants in Matthews is relatively concentrated, with only eight accountants currently employed in the area. This limited number can intensify competition for roles, particularly among those pursuing positions in higher-paying sectors. The cost of living, indexed at 93.6, presents local accountants with a favorable purchasing power compared to national standards. Many accountants find opportunities in corporate accounting departments, which often offer superior pay compared to small CPA practices. High-income potential generally correlates with certification status, firm type, and specialization. Firms such as the Big 4 typically provide higher starting salaries but have a substantial turnover rate as employees often transition to roles in industry, where compensation structures can include bonuses and better work-life balance. For those entering the accountant pay structure in Matthews, pursuing CPA licensure and gaining experience in public accounting can significantly enhance long-term salary prospects.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 $77,657 for accountantsin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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