Accountant Salary in Pittsburgh, PA: $78,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Pittsburgh, PA earns a median $78,948/year (≈ $37.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Pittsburgh's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.7), that paycheck buys what $83,392 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $78,948, which reflects a slight variation from the national median of $85,864. The salary range for this profession shows notable diversity, spanning from $52,372 at the 10th percentile to $128,139 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, offering insights into how much do accountants make in Pittsburgh. For financial professionals aiming to excel, obtaining a CPA license is often crucial, as it typically unlocks significant pay increases moving from staff to senior positions, making this market ripe with opportunities for growth.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,372 | $25.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,130 | $29.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,948 | $37.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,312 | $48.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,139 | $61.61 |
Median Salary Position
8.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pittsburgh
In Pittsburgh, PA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,767 (2026 est.). At $78,948, the local median is 8.05% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pittsburgh: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pittsburgh Accountant Pay Compares
Pittsburgh median: $78,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pittsburgh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $75,548 | +4.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -8.05% less |
Accountants in Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $78,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.05% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.50% above the Pennsylvania state average of $75,548.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pittsburgh has a cost of living 5.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pittsburgh, PA has a cost-of-living index of 94.671 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $78,948 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,392 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.63% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,470
2025 BLS Actual
$76,940
2026 Current Est.
$78,948
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $66,190 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,009 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pittsburgh metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 15.8% from $66,470 (2019) to $76,940 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,009 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,539 (21.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pittsburgh 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) | $52,372 – $62,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,130 – $78,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,948 – $100,312 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,312 – $128,139 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Pittsburgh
With 10,430 accountants currently employed in the Pittsburgh area, the job market offers solid prospects, bolstered by a cost-of-living index of 94.671, which positions salaries favorably against local expenses. While opportunity exists across various sectors, employers such as the Big 4 public accounting firms (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG) tend to offer the highest pay packages compared to regional firms or corporate accounting departments. The variance in accountant pay in Pittsburgh, PA, can be influenced by factors such as the CPA credential, firm tier, and specific specialization within accounting, such as tax, forensic, or valuation roles, often commanding higher salaries. To maximize earnings potential, accountants should consider gaining diverse experience in public accounting before transitioning to industry roles, where higher cash compensation may be available but often comes at the cost of the prestige associated with public firm partnership tracks.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, 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 $76,940 for accountantsin the Pittsburgh 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