Accountant Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $77,727 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $77,727/year (≈ $37.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $87,990 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Pinehurst, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $77,727, reflecting a slightly lower compensation compared to the national median of $85,864. The expected pay range for this profession spans from $46,164 at the 10th percentile to as high as $132,962 at the 90th percentile, as indicated by data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment surveys. Within the local job market, these figures highlight a distinction among accounting roles, particularly as the prevailing economic conditions and employer types shape compensation dynamics. The regional character and corporate structures influence salaries, leading to variations that must be navigated by both aspiring CPAs and seasoned professionals in Pinehurst.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,164 | $22.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,792 | $29.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,727 | $37.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,312 | $48.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $132,962 | $63.93 |
Median Salary Position
9.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $86,798 (2026 est.). At $77,727, the local median is 9.48% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinehurst Accountant Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $77,727/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,630 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -9.48% less |
Accountants in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $77,727 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.48% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.60% below the North Carolina state average of $80,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,727 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $87,990 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,770
2025 BLS Actual
$75,750
2026 Current Est.
$77,727
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,589 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,929 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,608 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,727 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,756 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,770 (2019) to $75,750 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,756 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,986 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $46,164 – $61,792 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,792 – $77,727 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,727 – $100,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,312 – $132,962 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Pinehurst
Analyzing the local job market reveals a base of approximately 370 accountants currently employed in Pinehurst, offering localized insights into job opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 88.336, professionals can find that their effective buying power is enhanced, making the area more attractive despite slightly lower accountant pay in Pinehurst NC compared to the national average. Employers differ significantly in compensation strategies, with Big 4 public accounting firms typically offering higher salaries, especially for entry-level positions compared to mid-tier CPA firms or small practices. The spread within salaries can be attributed to CPA licensing status, experience, the prestige of the employer, and specialty roles in areas such as tax and forensic accounting. For those seeking to maximize their earnings, pursuing a CPA designation and considering transitions into corporate roles post-public accounting experience can vastly improve long-term compensation prospects.
More salary data for Pinehurst, 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 $75,750 for accountantsin the Pinehurst 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, 2-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