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2026 Salary Data — Houston, TX
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Houston: $84K Median

Accountants in Houston, TX earn between $58K and $139K per year.

That's +5% above the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Houston, TX is $83,874 per year — +5% above the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $57,750 (entry, 25th percentile) to $139,325 (90th percentile). Accountants in Houston earned approximately $16,446 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$83,874
+410.0% YoY · $6,990/mo
Entry
$57,750
0–2 years
Experienced
$110,250
5+ years
Top 10%
$139,325
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Houston vs Nearby
Houston
$84K
San Antonio
$74K
+13% vs Houston
Dallas
$84K
+0% vs Houston
Austin
$92K
-9% vs Houston

Free ATS scan · Houston employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Houston

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)

Houston Job Market

Energy capital with massive medical center and growing tech presence.

Population
2320K
Cost of Living
96
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$320K

Top Industries in Houston

Energy/Oil & GasHealthcareAerospace (NASA)Manufacturing

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Houston 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 — Houston

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$57,750$83,874$139,325
Monthly$4,813$6,990$11,610
Weekly$1,111$1,613$2,679
Hourly$28$40$67

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Houston

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$67,303.359
Per month$5,609
Biweekly paycheck$2,589
Effective tax rate19.8%

Tax Breakdown on $83,874

Gross salary$83,874
Federal income tax−$10,154.28
Texas state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,416.361
Take-home (net)$67,303.359

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 — Houston

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Houston.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$53,130
2–3 yr$57,750
4–6 yr$84,000
7–10 yr$110,250
11–15 yr$130,095
15+ yr$124,788

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Houston's 1.05× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$16,446
2026 median:$83,874
Change:+$67,428

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
$87,369
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Houston

Walk-away anchor: $74,888 (offers below this are below market for Houston).

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 $110K–$139K for experienced roles, citing Houston market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Houston

What is the average Accountant salary in Houston, TX?
The average Accountant salary in Houston is $83,874 per year as of April 2026 — $6,990/month, $1,613/week, or about $40/hour. Salaries range from $57,750 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $139,325 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Houston's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $83,874 a good Accountant salary in Houston?
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. Houston's cost-of-living index is 96 (vs 100 nationally), giving $83,874 a real purchasing power of approximately $87,369 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $83,874 in Houston?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Houston specifically (median home price $320,000), a $83,874 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $83,874 enough for a single person in Houston?
A single adult in Houston typically needs ~$43,200 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $83,874 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $83,874 enough for a couple in Houston?
A couple (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$69,120 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $83,874 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $83,874 each ($167,748 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $83,874 enough for a family of 4 in Houston?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Houston typically needs ~$105,600 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $83,874 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 Houston. Childcare costs in Houston typically run $14K-$27K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Houston?
On a $83,874 Accountant salary in Houston, TX, you take home approximately $67,303.359 per year ($5,609/month, $2,589 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,154.28, state $0, FICA $6,416.361. Effective tax rate: 19.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Houston earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Houston earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $83,874 in Houston). However, Houston's cost-of-living index of 96 means real purchasing power is approximately $87,369 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Houston?
Entry-level Accountants in Houston typically start at around $57,750 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $110,250 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $139,325+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Houston increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Houston grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $16,446 in 2025 to $83,874 in 2026 (+$67,428). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Houston?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Houston's top industries include Energy/Oil & Gas, Healthcare, Aerospace (NASA), 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 Houston.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Houston?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Houston 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 Houston?
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 Houston?
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 Houston?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Houston'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 Houston are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.05× — 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

Chicago, IL$84KPhiladelphia, PA$83KSan Antonio, TX$74KDallas, TX$84KAustin, TX$92KFort Worth, TX$81KCharlotte, NC$81KEl Paso, TX$68K

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