Accountant Salary in Montpelier, VT: $81,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time accountant in Montpelier, VT earns a median $81,850/year (≈ $39.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 13-2011). Once you factor in Montpelier's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $79,082 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.9% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, accountants in Montpelier, Vermont can expect to earn a median annual salary of $81,850. This figure places the city's accountant compensation slightly below the national median of $85,864, reflecting a difference of about 4.67%. The salary range for accountants varies significantly, with the lower tenth percentile earning around $59,279 and the upper ninetieth percentile reaching approximately $126,867. These estimates derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional price adjustments to provide a realistic picture of the salary landscape. Given Montpelier's unique job market, where only four accountants are employed, the local pay reflects the transition many accounting professionals make from public firms to industry roles.
About the Montpelier Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,279 | $28.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,851 | $31.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,850 | $39.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,835 | $49.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,867 | $60.99 |
Median Salary Position
4.67% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montpelier
In Montpelier, VT, the accountant salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,588 (2026 est.). At $81,850, the local median is 4.67% below the national median of $85,864.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montpelier: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montpelier Accountant Pay Compares
Montpelier median: $81,850/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montpelier Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $88,871 | -7.90% less |
| National Average | $85,864 | -4.67% less |
Accountants in Montpelier, VT earn a median of $81,850 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.67% lower than the national median of $85,864 and 7.90% below the Vermont state average of $88,871.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montpelier has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montpelier, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,850 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $79,082 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,205
2025 BLS Actual
$79,768
2026 Current Est.
$81,850
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Accountants in Montpelier (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.61% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,205 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,121 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,639 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,146 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,986 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montpelier metropolitan area, the median accountant salary grew 17.0% from $68,205 (2019) to $79,768 (2025). At a 2.61% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,986 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,781 (23.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montpelier 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) | $59,279 – $65,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,851 – $81,850 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,850 – $103,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,835 – $126,867 |
CPA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual accountant compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Accountant Job Market in Montpelier
The local job market shows particular trends that influence accountant salaries in Montpelier, VT. With only four accountants in the area, competition is limited, keeping salaries on the lower end compared to larger cities and states. The cost-of-living index stands at 103.5, indicating that while salaries are somewhat competitive, the higher cost of living can affect overall purchasing power for accountants. Major employers in the area may include mid-tier CPA firms or government opportunities, as the Big 4 public accounting firms tend to be less prevalent. Both the CPA license and specialty skills can significantly impact earnings; those with niche expertise in tax or forensic accounting typically command higher wages. To maximize pay in Montpelier, seeking employment at larger regional firms or gaining experience in high-demand areas like tax or consulting can be effective strategies for aspiring accountants and current professionals navigating their careers.
More salary data for Montpelier, VT:
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 $79,768 for accountantsin the Montpelier 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 Montpelier 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