90% OFF - $9.99
11:59:59
Claim Lifetime Deal
2026 Salary Data — Memphis, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Memphis: $70K Median

Accountants in Memphis, TN earn between $48K and $117K per year.

That's -12% below the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Memphis, TN is $70,294 per year — -12% below the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $48,400 (entry, 25th percentile) to $116,767 (90th percentile). Accountants in Memphis earned approximately $13,783 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$70,294
+410.0% YoY · $5,858/mo
Entry
$48,400
0–2 years
Experienced
$92,400
5+ years
Top 10%
$116,767
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Memphis vs Nearby
Memphis
$70K
Nashville
$80K
-12% vs Memphis
El Paso
$68K
+4% vs Memphis
Tulsa
$70K
+0% vs Memphis

Free ATS scan · Memphis employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Memphis

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)

Memphis Job Market

Logistics capital home to FedEx headquarters with major healthcare presence.

Population
633K
Cost of Living
85
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
4.5%
Median Home
$175K

Top Industries in Memphis

Logistics (FedEx)HealthcareManufacturingMusic/Tourism

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Memphis 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 — Memphis

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$48,400$70,294$116,767
Monthly$4,033$5,858$9,731
Weekly$931$1,352$2,246
Hourly$23$34$56

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Memphis

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$57,749.829
Per month$4,812
Biweekly paycheck$2,221
Effective tax rate17.8%

Tax Breakdown on $70,294

Gross salary$70,294
Federal income tax−$7,166.68
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,377.491
Take-home (net)$57,749.829

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 — Memphis

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Memphis.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$44,528
2–3 yr$48,400
4–6 yr$70,400
7–10 yr$92,400
11–15 yr$109,032
15+ yr$104,584

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Memphis's 0.88× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$13,783
2026 median:$70,294
Change:+$56,511

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
$82,699
Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.

How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Memphis

Walk-away anchor: $62,762 (offers below this are below market for Memphis).

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 $92K–$117K for experienced roles, citing Memphis market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Memphis

What is the average Accountant salary in Memphis, TN?
The average Accountant salary in Memphis is $70,294 per year as of April 2026 — $5,858/month, $1,352/week, or about $34/hour. Salaries range from $48,400 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $116,767 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier (0.88×).
Is $70,294 a good Accountant salary in Memphis?
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. Memphis's cost-of-living index is 85 (vs 100 nationally), giving $70,294 a real purchasing power of approximately $82,699 in national terms. Comfortable lifestyle with strong savings potential - the median paycheck stretches well above the national average here.
Can you live on $70,294 in Memphis?
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 Memphis specifically (median home price $175,000), a $70,294 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $70,294 enough for a single person in Memphis?
A single adult in Memphis typically needs ~$38,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $70,294 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $70,294 enough for a couple in Memphis?
A couple (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$61,200 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $70,294 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $70,294 each ($140,588 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $70,294 enough for a family of 4 in Memphis?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Memphis typically needs ~$93,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $70,294 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 Memphis. Childcare costs in Memphis typically run $13K-$24K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Memphis?
On a $70,294 Accountant salary in Memphis, TN, you take home approximately $57,749.829 per year ($4,812/month, $2,221 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $7,166.68, state $0, FICA $5,377.491. Effective tax rate: 17.8%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Memphis earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Memphis earn approximately 12% less than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $70,294 in Memphis). However, Memphis's cost-of-living index of 85 means real purchasing power is approximately $82,699 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Memphis?
Entry-level Accountants in Memphis typically start at around $48,400 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $92,400 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $116,767+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Memphis increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Memphis grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $13,783 in 2025 to $70,294 in 2026 (+$56,511). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Memphis?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Memphis's top industries include Logistics (FedEx), Healthcare, 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 Memphis.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Memphis?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Memphis 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 Memphis?
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 Memphis?
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 Memphis?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Memphis'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 Memphis are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Memphis's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.88× — 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

Related Roles in Memphis

Financial Analyst →

Accountant Salary in Other Cities

Jacksonville, FL$73KEl Paso, TX$68KNashville, TN$80KOklahoma City, OK$70KLouisville, KY$73KAlbuquerque, NM$72KTucson, AZ$72KTulsa, OK$70K

Land a $70K+ Accountant Role in Memphis

Knowing the salary is step one. Step two: getting past the ATS. CVCraft scans your resume, finds missing keywords, and fixes formatting issues in 60 seconds.

Scan My Resume Free

No signup required · Works for all Finance roles