Accountant Salary in Austin, TX: $85,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Austin, TX earns a median $85,289/year (≈ $41.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $86,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, accountants in Austin, TX, can expect a median annual salary of $85,289, placing it slightly below the national median of $85,864. Salary figures for this role in the area span from a lower threshold of $59,165 at the 10th percentile to an upper limit of $133,526 for those at the 90th percentile. These projections are derived from comprehensive surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Such a salary outlook reflects a robust local job market, driven by increasing demand and the ongoing transition of professionals moving from public accounting to industry roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,165 | $28.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $70,031 | $33.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,289 | $41.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,530 | $51.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $133,526 | $64.19 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,361 (2026 est.). At $85,289, the local median is 0.67% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin Accountant Pay Compares
Austin median: $85,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $77,185 | +10.50% more |
| National Average | $85,864 | -0.67% less |
Accountants in Austin, TX earn a median of $85,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 10.50% above the Texas state average of $77,185.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A accountant earning $85,289 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,971 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,320
2025 BLS Actual
$83,120
2026 Current Est.
$85,289
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $83,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 18.2% from $70,320 (2019) to $83,120 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,195 (24.45%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $59,165 – $70,031 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $70,031 – $85,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,289 – $106,530 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,530 – $133,526 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Austin
With approximately 12,480 accountants currently employed in the Austin area, this vital sector is demonstrating strong growth projected at an annual rate of 2.61%. The cost of living in Austin is indexed at 98.066, which offers some advantage for take-home pay compared to many U.S. cities. Among the highest-paying employers are the Big 4 public accounting firms, which tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to regional CPA firms and corporate accounting departments. The disparity in pay is often determined by the CPA licensure status, firm prestige, and specialty areas like tax and forensic accounting. Accountants looking to maximize their salary potential should consider pursuing roles in the Big 4 and aiming for advanced certifications, which can significantly enhance earning capacity in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
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 $83,120 for accountantsin the Austin 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