Accountant Salary in Nashville, TN: $80,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Nashville, TN earns a median $80,118/year (≈ $38.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Nashville's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.3), that paycheck buys what $83,163 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Nashville, TN, can expect a median annual salary of $80,118, which is slightly below the national average of $85,864. The projected salary range in this city varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning around $55,050 while top earners in the 90th percentile can make as much as $129,022. This data comes from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys that illustrate the evolving landscape for accounting professionals in the area. As public accounting firms continue to serve as a primary entry point into the industry, many professionals transition to corporate roles that offer competitive compensation packages that can surpass their public firm counterparts.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,050 | $26.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,004 | $32.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,118 | $38.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,963 | $48.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $129,022 | $62.03 |
Median Salary Position
6.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nashville
In Nashville, TN, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,972 (2026 est.). At $80,118, the local median is 6.69% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nashville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nashville Accountant Pay Compares
Nashville median: $80,118/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nashville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $76,013 | +5.40% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -6.69% less |
Accountants in Nashville, TN earn a median of $80,118 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.69% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 5.40% above the Tennessee state average of $76,013.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nashville has a cost of living 3.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Nashville, TN has a cost-of-living index of 96.338 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $80,118 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,163 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,380
2025 BLS Actual
$78,080
2026 Current Est.
$80,118
2019–2027 Growth
+25.7%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,209 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nashville metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 19.4% from $65,380 (2019) to $78,080 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,829 (25.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nashville 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) | $55,050 – $67,004 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,004 – $80,118 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,118 – $99,963 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,963 – $129,022 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Nashville
With approximately 11,290 accountants currently working in Nashville, the local job market for accounting professionals shows solid activity and growth potential, projected at 2.61% annually. The cost of living index in Nashville currently stands at 96.338, making it a relatively affordable option for accountants compared to other urban centers. Among employers, the Big 4 firms typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for entry-level positions, but many accountants may find greater long-term financial rewards within corporate accounting departments or in specialized roles such as tax and forensic accounting. The gap between lower and higher salaries is influenced by factors such as CPA licensing, firm tier, and specific practice specialties, as well as busy-season comp structures that can significantly enhance earnings. To maximize their pay, accountants should consider pursuing a CPA license, gaining experience at reputable firms, and actively seeking roles that pay for overtime during peak periods.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
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 $78,080 for accountantsin the Nashville 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