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2026 Salary Data — Cleveland, OH
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Cleveland: $73K Median

Accountants in Cleveland, OH earn between $51K and $122K per year.

That's -8% below the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Cleveland, OH is $73,490 per year — -8% below the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $50,600 (entry, 25th percentile) to $122,075 (90th percentile). Accountants in Cleveland earned approximately $14,410 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$73,490
+410.0% YoY · $6,124/mo
Entry
$50,600
0–2 years
Experienced
$96,600
5+ years
Top 10%
$122,075
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Cleveland vs Nearby
Cleveland
$73K
Columbus
$77K
-5% vs Cleveland
Oklahoma City
$70K
+5% vs Cleveland
Louisville
$73K
+1% vs Cleveland

Free ATS scan · Cleveland employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Cleveland

Accountants prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with regulations, perform audits, and provide financial analysis.

Core Responsibilities

  • Prepare financial statements
  • Tax preparation and planning
  • Audit support
  • Financial analysis
  • Internal controls

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA

In-demand certifications

CPACMACIACFAEnrolled Agent (IRS)

Cleveland Job Market

Major medical hub anchored by Cleveland Clinic.

Population
372K
Cost of Living
88
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Cleveland

Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic)FinanceManufacturingTechEducation

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Cleveland or hiring remotely from this metro.

Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
Berkshire Hathaway
JPMorgan
Goldman Sachs
Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM)

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying Accountant listings.

CPAAdvisory servicesData analyticsAutomation toolsESG reporting

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

CPAGAAPIFRSExcelQuickBooksSAPaudittaxreconciliationfinancial reporting
Career Outlook
+6% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting.

Accountant Salary Breakdown — Cleveland

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$50,600$73,490$122,075
Monthly$4,217$6,124$10,173
Weekly$973$1,413$2,348
Hourly$24$35$59

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Cleveland

After federal, state, local, and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$56,323.715
Per month$4,694
Biweekly paycheck$2,166
Effective tax rate23.4%

Tax Breakdown on $73,490

Gross salary$73,490
Federal income tax−$7,869.8
Ohio state tax−$1,837.25
Cleveland local tax−$1,837.25
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,621.985
Take-home (net)$56,323.715

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

Accountant Salary by Experience — Cleveland

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Cleveland.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$46,552
2–3 yr$50,600
4–6 yr$73,600
7–10 yr$96,600
11–15 yr$113,988
15+ yr$109,338

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Cleveland's 0.92× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$14,410
2026 median:$73,490
Change:+$59,080

Finance sector growth driven by demand for CPA and Advisory services.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$83,511
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Cleveland

Walk-away anchor: $65,616 (offers below this are below market for Cleveland).

Leverage Points

  • Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual)
  • Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles
  • CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation
  • Buyout of unvested deferred comp from your current employer

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds)Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred compCarried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firmsCFA / Series exam fees and study time off401(k) match and deferred comp plan

What To Say

"I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor?"

Anchor on $97K–$122K for experienced roles, citing Cleveland market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Cleveland

What is the average Accountant salary in Cleveland, OH?
The average Accountant salary in Cleveland is $73,490 per year as of April 2026 — $6,124/month, $1,413/week, or about $35/hour. Salaries range from $50,600 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $122,075 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier (0.92×).
Is $73,490 a good Accountant salary in Cleveland?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Cleveland's cost-of-living index is 88 (vs 100 nationally), giving $73,490 a real purchasing power of approximately $83,511 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $73,490 in Cleveland?
Median local pay typically supports a single-earner family of four with a starter home, modest college savings, and standard healthcare costs covered. Stay under 25% of pre-tax income on rent. In this market, that is realistic on most professional salaries and leaves room for retirement contributions. For Cleveland specifically (median home price $175,000), a $73,490 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $73,490 enough for a single person in Cleveland?
A single adult in Cleveland typically needs ~$39,600 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $73,490 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $73,490 enough for a couple in Cleveland?
A couple (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$63,360 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $73,490 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $73,490 each ($146,980 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $73,490 enough for a family of 4 in Cleveland?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Cleveland typically needs ~$96,800 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $73,490 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Cleveland. Childcare costs in Cleveland typically run $13K-$25K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Cleveland?
On a $73,490 Accountant salary in Cleveland, OH, you take home approximately $56,323.715 per year ($4,694/month, $2,166 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $7,869.8, state $1,837.25, local $1,837.25, FICA $5,621.985. Effective tax rate: 23.4%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Cleveland earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Cleveland earn approximately 8% less than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $73,490 in Cleveland). However, Cleveland's cost-of-living index of 88 means real purchasing power is approximately $83,511 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Cleveland?
Entry-level Accountants in Cleveland typically start at around $50,600 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $96,600 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $122,075+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Cleveland increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Cleveland grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $14,410 in 2025 to $73,490 in 2026 (+$59,080). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Cleveland?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Cleveland's top industries include Healthcare (Cleveland Clinic), Finance, Manufacturing, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 4.5% — steady demand for skilled workers.
What skills are most in demand for Accountants in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for Accountants are: CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics, Automation tools, ESG reporting. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Cleveland.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Cleveland?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Cleveland include: Big Four (Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG), Berkshire Hathaway, JPMorgan, Goldman Sachs, Mid-tier firms (BDO, RSM). Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher Accountant salary in Cleveland?
I'm walking away from $X in unvested deferred compensation if I leave now. Can we structure the offer with a sign-on that makes me whole, plus a guaranteed first-year bonus floor? Key leverage points for Finance negotiations: Bonus targets and historical payout percentages (ask for last 3 years actual); Profit-share, carry, or AUM-linked compensation for senior roles; CFA, CPA, or Series licenses materially shift base compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: Guaranteed first-year bonus (especially in IB, PE, hedge funds), Sign-on / make-whole for forfeited deferred comp, Carried interest or profit-share at PE/HF/VC firms, CFA / Series exam fees and study time off.
How can I increase my Accountant salary in Cleveland?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., CPA or CMA). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a Accountant in Cleveland?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Cleveland's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Finance roles.

Methodology & Sources

Accountant salary figures for Cleveland are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Cleveland's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.92× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (410.0%) reflects the Finance sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

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Accountant Salary in Other Cities

San Antonio, TX$74KJacksonville, FL$73KColumbus, OH$77KIndianapolis, IN$74KDetroit, MI$74KMemphis, TN$70KOklahoma City, OK$70KLas Vegas, NV$76K

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