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2026 Salary Data — Raleigh, NC
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Raleigh: $84K Median

Accountants in Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh, NC 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 Raleigh 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 — Raleigh vs Nearby
Raleigh
$84K
Charlotte
$81K
+3% vs Raleigh
Dallas
$84K
+0% vs Raleigh
Virginia Beach
$78K
+7% vs Raleigh

Free ATS scan · Raleigh employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Raleigh

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)

Raleigh Job Market

Research Triangle anchor with major tech and pharmaceutical presence.

Population
469K
Cost of Living
101
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.5%
Median Home
$445K

Top Industries in Raleigh

Tech (Research Triangle)HealthcareEducationPharmaceuticals

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Raleigh 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 — Raleigh

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 Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Raleigh

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$63,529.029
Per month$5,294
Biweekly paycheck$2,443
Effective tax rate24.3%

Tax Breakdown on $83,874

Gross salary$83,874
Federal income tax−$10,154.28
North Carolina state tax−$3,774.33
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$6,416.361
Take-home (net)$63,529.029

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 — Raleigh

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Raleigh.

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 Raleigh'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
$83,044
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 Raleigh

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

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 Raleigh market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Raleigh

What is the average Accountant salary in Raleigh, NC?
The average Accountant salary in Raleigh 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 Raleigh's cost-of-living multiplier (1.05×).
Is $83,874 a good Accountant salary in Raleigh?
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. Raleigh's cost-of-living index is 101 (vs 100 nationally), giving $83,874 a real purchasing power of approximately $83,044 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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh specifically (median home price $445,000), a $83,874 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $83,874 enough for a single person in Raleigh?
A single adult in Raleigh typically needs ~$45,450 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 Raleigh?
A couple (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$72,720 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 Raleigh?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Raleigh typically needs ~$111,100 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 Raleigh. Childcare costs in Raleigh typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Raleigh?
On a $83,874 Accountant salary in Raleigh, NC, you take home approximately $63,529.029 per year ($5,294/month, $2,443 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $10,154.28, state $3,774.33, FICA $6,416.361. Effective tax rate: 24.3%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Raleigh earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Raleigh earn approximately 5% more than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $83,874 in Raleigh). However, Raleigh's cost-of-living index of 101 means real purchasing power is approximately $83,044 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Raleigh?
Entry-level Accountants in Raleigh 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 Raleigh increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Raleigh's top industries include Tech (Research Triangle), Healthcare, Education, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.5% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
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 Raleigh.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Raleigh?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
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 Raleigh?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Raleigh'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 Raleigh are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Raleigh'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$84KHouston, TX$84KPhiladelphia, PA$83KDallas, TX$84KFort Worth, TX$81KCharlotte, NC$81KSacramento, CA$86KAtlanta, GA$84K

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