Atlanta accountant salary: rankings and context
Here is how that number compares with the rest of the United States, with GA, and with other jobs in Atlanta.
How Atlanta compares with United States and GA
San Jose leads at US$121,700, 42% above Atlanta, while San Antonio sits at US$78,650. The neighbours in the ranking are Philadelphia and Houston.
With Atlanta as the sole GA entry for accountants, the useful benchmarks are national: 12th of 21, +3% vs the median.
Cost of living and take-home in Atlanta
With a COL index of 100, there is little difference between headline pay and price-adjusted pay (US$85,800).
Its place holds after a cost-of-living adjustment — 12th of 21 either way.
Run the median through our simplified tax model (12% effective) and about US$6,300 lands each month. Budget US$1,650 for a modeled 1-bedroom — 26% of pay — and other modeled costs, and roughly US$2,820 remains.
Metros with a cost level like Atlanta
A accountant moving from Atlanta to New York (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 23% to US$105,650, with US$1,280 more left over monthly in our model.
A accountant moving from Atlanta to Los Angeles (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median rise 10% to US$94,360, with US$550 more left over monthly in our model.
A accountant moving from Atlanta to Chicago (similar cost level, COL 100) would see the median fall 4% to US$82,360, with US$230 less left over monthly in our model.
Where Accountant ranks among Atlanta jobs
Accountant ranks 9th of 9 occupations with observed Atlanta data. Lawyer leads the city at US$138,210.
Closest neighbours in the Atlanta list: Frontend Developer at US$93,590 (+9%).
How Atlanta ranks at the low and high end
Top earners do comparatively well in Atlanta — 10th of 21 at the 90th percentile — while entry-level pay ranks 18th.
For the top 10% of earners, San Jose leads with US$196,890 at the 90th percentile, +29% against Atlanta.
Spread between low and high accountant pay in Atlanta
Expect wide variation between offers: the 10th percentile is US$56,490 and the 90th US$153,010, a 2.7× ratio.