Accountant Salary in Wilson, NC: $77,276 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Wilson, NC earns a median $77,276/year (≈ $37.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Wilson's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $82,560 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $77,276 in 2026, accountants in Wilson, North Carolina, can expect competitive compensation, albeit somewhat below the national median of $85,864. The salary range offers some flexibility, with entry-level positions starting around $55,316, while seasoned professionals may earn as much as $119,778. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, indicate a local profession that's poised for modest growth, estimated at an annual increase of 2.61%. In Wilson's job market, the credential of a CPA often significantly enhances earning potential, bridging the pay gap between staff and senior-level roles, which can make a substantial difference for professionals looking to advance their careers in this area.
About the Wilson Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,316 | $26.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,718 | $30.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,276 | $37.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,913 | $47.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,778 | $57.58 |
Median Salary Position
10% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilson
In Wilson, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,462 (2026 est.). At $77,276, the local median is 10% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilson Accountant Pay Compares
Wilson median: $77,276/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,579 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -10.00% less |
Accountants in Wilson, NC earn a median of $77,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $80,579.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilson 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.
Wilson, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $77,276 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $82,560 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,393
2025 BLS Actual
$75,310
2026 Current Est.
$77,276
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Wilson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,202 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,523 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,890 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,782 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,310 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,292 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilson metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $64,393 (2019) to $75,310 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,292 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,899 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilson 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) | $55,316 – $63,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,718 – $77,276 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,276 – $98,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,913 – $119,778 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Wilson
The job market for accountants in Wilson is relatively constrained, with only seven professionals currently employed in this sector. The cost of living index in the area sits at 93.6, providing a favorable backdrop for accounting professionals, as it translates into a lower cost of living relative to the national average. This aspect often leads to improved purchasing power even with salaries that are slightly lower compared to national figures. Among local employers, large public accounting firms, such as those in the Big 4, typically command the highest salaries, but many accountants transition to corporate roles in industry, where compensation can be attractive yet often comes with less prestige. The gaps between lower and higher pay in Wilson are influenced by several factors, including CPA licensure, firm type, and specialization. To maximize their earnings in this local market, professionals should consider pursuing CPA licensure, entering prestigious firms, or focusing on niche areas such as tax or forensic accounting, which often provide additional pay premiums.
More salary data for Wilson, 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 $75,310 for accountantsin the Wilson 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 Wilson 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