Accountant Salary in Lexington, SC: $74,605 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Lexington, SC earns a median $74,605/year (≈ $35.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $81,536 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Lexington, South Carolina, can expect to see a median annual salary of $74,605, which reflects a competitive environment within the region. With earnings ranging from $50,536 at the 10th percentile to $115,637 at the 90th percentile, the local market shows a promising spectrum of compensation for varying levels of experience and specialization. These figures, which derive from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest that individuals holding a CPA license and stepping into senior positions can experience significant pay jumps. Thus, achieving licensure not only enhances earning potential but also opens doors to more prestigious roles within accounting firms and corporate departments across Lexington.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,536 | $24.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,402 | $28.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,605 | $35.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,061 | $45.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,637 | $55.59 |
Median Salary Position
13.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,101 (2026 est.). At $74,605, the local median is 13.11% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Accountant Pay Compares
Lexington median: $74,605/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $78,947 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -13.11% less |
Accountants in Lexington, SC earn a median of $74,605 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.11% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $78,947.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $74,605 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $81,536 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,168
2025 BLS Actual
$72,707
2026 Current Est.
$74,605
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Lexington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,168 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,914 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,405 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,227 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,707 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,605 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,552 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $62,168 (2019) to $72,707 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,552 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,384 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington 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) | $50,536 – $59,402 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,402 – $74,605 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,605 – $94,061 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,061 – $115,637 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Lexington
Employers in Lexington, SC, have established a job market that includes only five accountants, indicating a concentrated but potentially competitive environment. The cost of living index at 91.5 suggests that accountants can enjoy a more favorable purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Large public accounting firms like Deloitte and PwC often offer the most lucrative salaries, especially for those moving up toward manager and partner roles, though regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments also provide solid compensation. Factors affecting pay variance include the CPA license, which allows for higher earnings within firms, especially during busy season when accountants may work extended hours. To maximize earnings in this market, securing a position with a Big 4 firm, seeking additional certifications, or transitioning to industry roles where controllership positions offer higher cash payouts could be strategic moves for success in the local accountant pay landscape.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
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 $72,707 for accountantsin the Lexington 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 Lexington 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