Accountant Salary in Scranton, PA: $72,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Scranton, PA earns a median $72,320/year (≈ $34.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Scranton's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $77,301 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Projected for 2026, the accountant salary in Scranton, Pennsylvania, sits at $72,320 annually, significantly lower than the national median of $85,864, reflecting a -15.77% disparity. These figures, drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, show a wide salary range that spans from $47,560 at the 10th percentile to $112,994 at the 90th percentile. The local market showcases a mix between entry-level positions and experienced roles, which can result in notable income variation based on employment type, firm size, and specialization. Big 4 firms often offer higher starting salaries, but many accountants in Scranton transition to corporate roles where the pay structure can differ, amplifying the effects on local compensation patterns.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,560 | $22.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,819 | $25.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,320 | $34.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,769 | $43.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,994 | $54.32 |
Median Salary Position
15.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scranton
In Scranton, PA, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,434 (2026 est.). At $72,320, the local median is 15.77% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scranton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scranton Accountant Pay Compares
Scranton median: $72,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scranton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $75,569 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -15.77% less |
Accountants in Scranton, PA earn a median of $72,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.77% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 4.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $75,569.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scranton has a cost of living 6.44% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scranton, PA has a cost-of-living index of 93.556 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $72,320 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $77,301 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.89% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$63,740
2025 BLS Actual
$70,480
2026 Current Est.
$72,320
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Scranton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $63,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,830 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,207 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scranton metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 10.6% from $63,740 (2019) to $70,480 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,207 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,467 (16.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scranton 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) | $47,560 – $53,819 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,819 – $72,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,320 – $90,769 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,769 – $112,994 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Scranton
In Scranton, approximately 1,640 accountants contribute to a competitive job market, aided by a favorable cost-of-living index of 93.556, which suggests that an accountant's take-home pay can stretch further than in many other parts of the country. Employers vary widely in their compensation, with Big 4 public accounting firms leading the way in pay rates compared to regional CPA firms and local practices. Factors influencing the salary range include qualifications such as CPA licensure, the tier of public firm, and specialized roles in tax or forensic accounting, which command premiums. To maximize pay in this market, accountants may benefit from acquiring diverse certifications, such as AICPA credentials, and exploring partnerships with firms that offer equity potential. Engaging in continuous professional development during peak busy seasons can also support career advancement and income growth.
More salary data for Scranton, 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 $70,480 for accountantsin the Scranton 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