Accountant Salary in Winston-Salem, NC: $83,543 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Winston-Salem, NC earns a median $83,543/year (≈ $40.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Winston-Salem's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $89,255 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for accountants in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is $83,543, reflecting the ongoing transition from public to industry roles that often shapes the lifetime earning potential of these professionals. The salary for accountants in this area ranges significantly from $51,162 at the 10th percentile to $129,492 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse landscape influenced by experience and specialization. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, highlight the competitive compensation levels relative to the national median of $85,864 for the same year. As Winston-Salem continues to be a focal point for both public accounting and corporate finance, understanding these compensation dynamics becomes crucial for aspiring accountants in the area.
About the Winston-Salem Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($80,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,162 | $24.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,071 | $30.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,543 | $40.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,935 | $51.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,492 | $62.25 |
Median Salary Position
2.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston-Salem
In Winston-Salem, NC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,330 (2026 est.). At $83,543, the local median is 2.7% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston-Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston-Salem Accountant Pay Compares
Winston-Salem median: $83,543/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston-Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $80,640 | +3.60% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -2.70% less |
Accountants in Winston-Salem, NC earn a median of $83,543 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 3.60% above the North Carolina state average of $80,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston-Salem 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.
Winston-Salem, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $83,543 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $89,255 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,616
2025 BLS Actual
$81,418
2026 Current Est.
$83,543
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Winston-Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,616 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,572 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,162 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,892 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,721 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,605 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,543 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston-Salem metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $69,616 (2019) to $81,418 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,107 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston-Salem 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) | $51,162 – $63,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,071 – $83,543 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,543 – $106,935 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,935 – $129,492 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Winston-Salem
The local job market for accounting professionals in Winston-Salem is relatively robust, with 59 accountants employed across various sectors. A cost-of-living index of 93.6 indicates that while salaries might not be as high as in some larger markets, the purchasing power remains favorable for residents. Among the top-paying employers in the region are Big 4 firms, which outpace local CPA practices for entry-level talent seeking to gain experience, though transitions to corporate accounting often lead to increased compensation over time. Various factors drive the pay disparity, such as the CPA licensing requirement, which influences entry-level pay and affects market growth. For those eager to maximize their earnings in Winston-Salem, pursuing specialized skills in tax or forensic accounting can yield significant premiums, while considering the busy-season dynamics at public firms may present opportunities for overtime and performance bonuses during peak periods.
More salary data for Winston-Salem, 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 $81,418 for accountantsin the Winston-Salem 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 Winston-Salem 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