Business & Finance Cleveland, OH Pop. 372,624

Accountant Salary in Cleveland, Ohio

The median accountant salary in Cleveland, OH is $68,697 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 4.4% below the Ohio state average.

City Median
$68,697
vs State Avg
$-3,195
vs National
$-11,183
Cost of Living
86%

Accountant Pay in Cleveland: What to Expect (2026)

Cleveland offers a median accountant salary of $68,697, which is $3,195 below the Ohio state average of $71,892. Compared to the national median of $79,880, Cleveland pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Cleveland's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $68,697 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $79,880 in an average-cost city. This makes Cleveland an attractive option for accountants seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for accountants in Cleveland spans from $43,344 at the 10th percentile to $114,208 at the 90th percentile — a $70,864 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $44,720, while senior accountants with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,200. With a population of 372,624, Cleveland is a mid-sized metro with a growing job market.

Accountant Salary in Cleveland by Experience

In Cleveland, an entry-level accountant earns around $44,720, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,200 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$44,720
$-7,280 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$68,800
$-11,200 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,200
$-16,800 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Cleveland, OH

Percentile Cleveland
10th Percentile $43,344
25th Percentile $53,922
Median (50th) $68,697
75th Percentile $88,064
90th Percentile $114,208

Accountant Salary in Other Ohio Cities

Columbus, OH
$75,886
Pop. 905,748
Cincinnati, OH
$71,892
Pop. 309,317
Akron, OH
$67,099
Pop. 190,469
Toledo, OH
$65,502
Pop. 270,871

How to Become a Accountant in Cleveland

Education

Most accountant positions require a bachelor's degree. Cleveland and the surrounding Ohio area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

GAAPTax PreparationFinancial AnalysisQuickBooksExcelAuditing

Job Outlook

Nationally, accountant employment is projected to grow 4% over the next decade (as fast as average). Demand in Cleveland may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Accountant Jobs in Cleveland

Browse open accountant positions in Cleveland, OH:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Accountant Salary in Cleveland

How much does a Accountant make in Cleveland, OH? ▼
The median accountant salary in Cleveland, Ohio is $68,697 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $79,880. Salaries range from $43,344 (10th percentile) to $114,208 (90th percentile).
How much does a Accountant make per hour in Cleveland? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $68,697, a accountant in Cleveland earns approximately $33 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Cleveland compare to the Ohio state average for accountant pay? ▼
Cleveland's median accountant salary of $68,697 is 4.4% below the Ohio state average of $71,892. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Cleveland, OH? ▼
Cleveland has a cost of living index of 86% compared to the national average. This means a accountant salary of $68,697 in Cleveland has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a accountant in Cleveland? ▼
Most accountant positions in Cleveland require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include GAAP, Tax Preparation, Financial Analysis, QuickBooks. The job market is projected to grow 4% nationally over the next decade.