Accountant Salary in Erie, PA: $71,827 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Erie, PA earns a median $71,827/year (≈ $34.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $78,974 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for accountants in Erie, Pennsylvania is projected to reach $71,827, which represents a significant 16.35% decrease compared to the national median of $85,864. The salary spectrum for accountants in this region is notable, ranging from $44,040 at the 10th percentile to $126,559 at the 90th percentile, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This salary information highlights both opportunities and challenges within the local market. Given that the area employs roughly 970 accountants, job seekers may find themselves positioned in a competitive yet stable environment, particularly as they transition from public accounting roles to industry positions, which have historically attracted many early-career professionals in Erie.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,040 | $21.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,600 | $27.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,827 | $34.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,508 | $44.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,559 | $60.85 |
Median Salary Position
16.35% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $82,519 (2026 est.). At $71,827, the local median is 16.35% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Accountant Pay Compares
Erie median: $71,827/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $75,528 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -16.35% less |
Accountants in Erie, PA earn a median of $71,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.35% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.90% below the Pennsylvania state average of $75,528.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $71,827 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $78,974 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,090
2025 BLS Actual
$70,000
2026 Current Est.
$71,827
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,000 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,827 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,702 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 20.5% from $58,090 (2019) to $70,000 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,702 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,612 (26.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $44,040 – $56,600 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,600 – $71,827 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,827 – $91,508 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,508 – $126,559 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Erie
Analyzing the local job market, Erie’s cost-of-living index is rated at 90.95, which is below the national average. This lower cost can enhance the take-home purchasing power for accountants, making the local salaries relatively more appealing in context. Within the region, large firms such as Deloitte and PwC tend to offer the highest compensation packages, reflective of their corporate stature, while regional CPA firms like BDO and Grant Thornton also provide competitive pay but slightly less than their larger counterparts. The salary variance stems from factors such as CPA licensure, experience level, and the specific accounting specialties pursued—tax and forensic accounting roles generally command higher salaries. To maximize compensation in Erie, aspiring accountants should consider obtaining their CPA license, seek out opportunities within public accounting firms during the busy season, and network thoughtfully, leveraging their positions to push for advancement in compensation and responsibilities.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
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 $70,000 for accountantsin the Erie 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, 7-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