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2026 Salary Data — Virginia Beach, VA
Updated April 28, 2026

Accountant Salary in Virginia Beach: $78K Median

Accountants in Virginia Beach, VA earn between $54K and $130K per year.

That's -2% below the US national median of $79,880 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Virginia Beach, VA is $78,282 per year — -2% below the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $53,900 (entry, 25th percentile) to $130,036 (90th percentile). Accountants in Virginia Beach earned approximately $15,349 in 2025, representing 410.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$78,282
+410.0% YoY · $6,524/mo
Entry
$53,900
0–2 years
Experienced
$102,900
5+ years
Top 10%
$130,036
Senior/lead
Accountant Salary — Virginia Beach vs Nearby
Virginia Beach
$78K
Charlotte
$81K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Fort Worth
$81K
-4% vs Virginia Beach
Mesa
$78K
+0% vs Virginia Beach

Free ATS scan · Virginia Beach employers · Results in 60 seconds

About Accountants in Virginia Beach

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)

Virginia Beach Job Market

Military and tourism hub with strong defense industry.

Population
459K
Cost of Living
100
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.8%
Median Home
$360K

Top Industries in Virginia Beach

Military/NavalTourismDefenseHealthcare

Top Employers Hiring Accountants

Major employers active in Virginia Beach 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 — Virginia Beach

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$53,900$78,282$130,036
Monthly$4,492$6,524$10,836
Weekly$1,037$1,505$2,501
Hourly$26$38$63

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($79,880) adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

Accountant Take-Home Pay in Virginia Beach

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

Net Annual Take-Home
$59,455.287
Per month$4,955
Biweekly paycheck$2,287
Effective tax rate24.0%

Tax Breakdown on $78,282

Gross salary$78,282
Federal income tax−$8,924.04
Virginia state tax−$3,914.1
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$5,988.573
Take-home (net)$59,455.287

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 — Virginia Beach

Career-stage progression for Accountants in Virginia Beach.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$49,588
2–3 yr$53,900
4–6 yr$78,400
7–10 yr$102,900
11–15 yr$121,422
15+ yr$116,468

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Virginia Beach's 0.98× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+410.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$15,349
2026 median:$78,282
Change:+$62,933

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
$78,282
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 Virginia Beach

Walk-away anchor: $69,895 (offers below this are below market for Virginia Beach).

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 $103K–$130K for experienced roles, citing Virginia Beach market data and your specific CPA/Advisory services expertise.

Accountant Salary FAQ — Virginia Beach

What is the average Accountant salary in Virginia Beach, VA?
The average Accountant salary in Virginia Beach is $78,282 per year as of April 2026 — $6,524/month, $1,505/week, or about $38/hour. Salaries range from $53,900 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $130,036 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier (0.98×).
Is $78,282 a good Accountant salary in Virginia Beach?
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. Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index is 100 (vs 100 nationally), giving $78,282 a real purchasing power of approximately $78,282 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 $78,282 in Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach specifically (median home price $360,000), a $78,282 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $78,282 enough for a single person in Virginia Beach?
A single adult in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$45,000 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $78,282 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $78,282 enough for a couple in Virginia Beach?
A couple (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$72,000 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $78,282 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $78,282 each ($156,564 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $78,282 enough for a family of 4 in Virginia Beach?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Virginia Beach typically needs ~$110,000 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $78,282 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 Virginia Beach. Childcare costs in Virginia Beach typically run $15K-$28K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a Accountant in Virginia Beach?
On a $78,282 Accountant salary in Virginia Beach, VA, you take home approximately $59,455.287 per year ($4,955/month, $2,287 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $8,924.04, state $3,914.1, FICA $5,988.573. Effective tax rate: 24.0%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do Accountants in Virginia Beach earn compared to the US average?
Accountants in Virginia Beach earn approximately 2% less than the US national median for this role ($79,880 nationally vs $78,282 in Virginia Beach). However, Virginia Beach's cost-of-living index of 100 means real purchasing power is approximately $78,282 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level Accountant earn in Virginia Beach?
Entry-level Accountants in Virginia Beach typically start at around $53,900 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, Accountants earn $102,900 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $130,036+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did Accountant salaries in Virginia Beach increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Virginia Beach grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $15,349 in 2025 to $78,282 in 2026 (+$62,933). This reflects the broader Finance sector's compensation trend, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Virginia Beach?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Virginia Beach's top industries include Military/Naval, Tourism, Defense, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.8% — 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 Virginia Beach.
Who are the top employers hiring Accountants in Virginia Beach?
Top employers hiring Accountants in or near Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
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 Virginia Beach?
Bachelor's degree in accounting; 150 credit hours for CPA is the typical path. However, Virginia Beach'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 Virginia Beach are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($79,880) by Virginia Beach's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.98× — 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

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