Accountant Salary in Monroe, NC: $77,507 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Monroe, NC earns a median $77,507/year (≈ $37.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Monroe's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $82,807 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Monroe, North Carolina can expect a median annual salary of $77,507, which is notably lower than the national median of $85,864, highlighting a regional pay disparity of approximately 9.73%. The salary landscape for accountants in Monroe diversifies significantly, with the lowest earners at around $55,779 and top professionals making up to $120,137. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. Earning a CPA license tends to yield a substantial salary boost, often positioning licensed accountants for substantial pay jumps from staff to senior levels, which is especially pertinent given the minimal number of accountants employed locally.
About the Monroe Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,779 | $26.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,189 | $30.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,507 | $37.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,210 | $47.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,137 | $57.76 |
Median Salary Position
9.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Monroe
In Monroe, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,358 (2026 est.). At $77,507, the local median is 9.73% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Monroe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Monroe Accountant Pay Compares
Monroe median: $77,507/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Monroe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,569 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.73% less |
Accountants in Monroe, NC earn a median of $77,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.73% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.80% below the North Carolina state average of $80,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Monroe 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.
Monroe, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,507 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,807 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,587
2025 BLS Actual
$75,536
2026 Current Est.
$77,507
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,587 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,401 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,732 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,409 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,106 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,997 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,536 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,507 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Monroe metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,587 (2019) to $75,536 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,943 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Monroe 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) | $55,779 – $64,189 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,189 – $77,507 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,507 – $99,210 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,210 – $120,137 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Monroe
Despite a modest local workforce of just six accountants, the cost of living index in Monroe stands at 93.6, indicating a slightly lower economic pressure compared to national averages. This context enhances the purchasing power of local salaries, making the overall compensation more appealing despite the lower figures compared to national benchmarks. Among employers, entry-level positions at Big 4 firms often provide the highest initial salaries for accountants, while mid-tier CPA firms and industry roles may offer compelling bonus structures and less intense hours post-tax season. The variance in earnings is largely influenced by licensure, firm tier, specialization, and strategic career moves, with aspiring accountants encouraged to pursue certifications and consider the benefit of transitioning to industry roles for increased compensation over time.
More salary data for Monroe, 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 $75,536 for accountantsin the Monroe 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 Monroe 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