2026 Salary — Tennessee
Updated April 29, 2026
Accountant Salary in Tennessee: $76K Median
Accountants in Tennessee earn between $52K and $126K per year.
That's -5% below the US national median.
Quick Answer
As of April 2026, the median Accountant salary in Tennessee is $75,886 per year — -5% below the US national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $52,250 (entry, 25th percentile) to $126,056 (90th percentile). Tennessee's cost-of-living index is 92. Tennessee has no state income tax.
Median
$75,886
+410.0% YoY
Entry
$52,250
Experienced
$99,750
Top 10%
$126,056
About Accountants in Tennessee
Accountants prepare financial statements, ensure compliance with regulations, perform audits, and provide financial analysis.
Hot 2026 Skills
CPAAdvisory servicesData analyticsAutomation toolsESG reporting
ATS Keywords
CPAGAAPIFRSExcelQuickBooksSAPaudittaxreconciliationfinancial reporting
How to Negotiate Your Accountant Salary in Tennessee
Walk-away anchor: $67,755.
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
Negotiate Beyond Base
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
Accountant Salary FAQ — Tennessee
What is the average Accountant salary in Tennessee?
The average Accountant salary in Tennessee is $75,886 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $52,250 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $126,056 (90th percentile). Tennessee has no state income tax — increasing take-home meaningfully.
How does Accountant pay in Tennessee compare to the US average?
Accountants in Tennessee earn approximately 5% less than the US national median ($79,880 nationally vs $75,886 in Tennessee). Tennessee's cost-of-living index of 92 amplifies the real purchasing power.
Did Accountant salaries in Tennessee increase in 2026?
Yes — Accountant salaries in Tennessee grew approximately 410.0% year-over-year, from $14,880 in 2025 to $75,886 in 2026. This reflects the broader Finance sector's wage growth, driven by CPA and Advisory services demand.
Which Tennessee cities pay Accountants the most?
Top-paying Tennessee metros for Accountants: Nashville ($80K), Memphis ($70K). Click any city for full breakdown including take-home pay.
What's the job outlook for Accountants in Tennessee?
Accountant employment projected to grow 6% through 2034. CPA shortage driving competitive salaries, especially in public accounting. Tennessee's top industries include Healthcare, Manufacturing (Auto, EV), Logistics (FedEx), and the state's unemployment rate is 3.6% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
Does Tennessee have state income tax?
No, Tennessee has no state income tax. This significantly boosts take-home pay vs comparable salaries in tax states like California or New York. At $75,886, you keep all of it (after federal + FICA).
What skills are most in demand for Accountants in 2026?
Hottest 2026 skills: CPA, Advisory services, Data analytics, Automation tools, ESG reporting. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Tennessee employers.
How can I increase my Accountant salary in Tennessee?
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? Beyond base, negotiate: 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. Walk-away anchor for Tennessee: $67,755.
Methodology
Tennessee Accountant salary is the BLS national median ($79,880) adjusted by Tennessee's state multiplier (0.95×). YoY rate from BLS Employment Cost Index. Last reviewed April 29, 2026.
Accountant Salary in Other States
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