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2026 North Texas Salary Data
How Much Do Accounts Payable Specialists Make in Dallas?
Accounts payable specialists in Dallas earn a median salary of $60,336 in 2026, with most falling between $52,412 and $68,260 depending on experience, software proficiency, and industry.
Check Your SalaryDallas-Fort Worth Median
$60,336
Accounts Payable Specialist
25th Pctl$52,412
75th Pctl$68,260
PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide
Salary Breakdown
Accounts Payable Salary by Role Level
AP salaries in Dallas span a wide range depending on whether you're in a clerk, specialist, or management role. Here's the full progression in the Dallas-Fort Worth market.
An accounts payable specialist in Dallas typically earns between $52,412 and $68,260 per year. The median salary of $60,336 places AP specialists firmly in the mid-range of accounting support roles. The jump from AP clerk to AP specialist adds roughly $5,000 at the median, while moving into AP management nearly doubles that with a median of $88,850. AP specialists who develop full-cycle AP expertise and take on vendor management responsibilities tend to move toward the 75th percentile faster.
What Drives Pay
Factors That Affect AP Specialist Salary in Dallas
Four factors determine where an accounts payable specialist falls within the range.
Full-Cycle AP Experience
- Specialists who handle the entire AP workflow (invoice receipt through payment and reconciliation) command higher pay
- Full-cycle experience signals you can manage the process independently
- Data entry or invoice coding-only roles pay closer to the clerk range
ERP & Automation Tools
- Hands-on experience with SAP, Oracle, or NetSuite commands 5-15% premiums
- AP automation platforms (Tipalti, Bill.com, Coupa) are increasingly valued
- Ability to manage automated workflows is now more valued than manual processing speed
Volume & Complexity
- Processing 50 invoices a week for one entity pays differently than 500+ across multiple entities
- Multi-entity and intercompany transaction experience is the fastest path to the 75th percentile
- High-volume experience is valued even without a move into management
Industry
- Construction, energy, and financial services pay at the higher end due to complex vendor structures
- Retail and hospitality typically pay closer to the 25th percentile
- Compliance-heavy industries value AP accuracy and audit experience more heavily
Dallas vs. National
How Dallas AP Specialist Pay Compares
Dallas AP specialists earn significantly above the national benchmark, with no state income tax adding to take-home pay.
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$60,336
Accounts Payable Specialist
National Median (BLS)
$49,210
Bookkeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks
The BLS "Bookkeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks" category includes entry-level bookkeeping clerks, which pulls the national median well below what AP specialists actually earn. Dallas AP specialists outpace this benchmark significantly.
According to the most recent national data from BLS, the median salary for Bookkeeping, Accounting & Auditing Clerks is $49,210 nationwide. Dallas AP specialists earn well above this figure. The BLS category is broad and skews lower than AP-specialist-only data. Texas having no state income tax gives Dallas AP specialists a meaningful take-home advantage over peers in California, New York, or Illinois.
Boost Your Earning Potential
Skills Commanding Higher AP Pay in Dallas
Dallas employers are paying above-market rates for AP specialists with these capabilities.
SAP / Oracle / NetSuite
+5-15%
AP Automation (Tipalti, Coupa)
+5-10%
Multi-Entity Experience
+5-10%
Advanced Excel & Pivot Tables
+3-8%
1099 / Year-End Reporting
+3-5%
Vendor Negotiations
+3-5%
Source: 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. Technical premiums: "Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, Adaptive, NetSuite, or system implementation experience may command 5-15% premiums." Additional premium estimates based on PrideStaff Financial recruiter placement data.
Put This Data to Work
How to Use This Salary Data
Whether you're negotiating an offer or benchmarking a role, here's how to apply this data.
For Job Seekers
If you're earning below $52,412 with 2+ years of full-cycle AP experience, you're likely underpaid for the Dallas market.
The path from AP specialist to AP manager adds nearly $30,000 at the median. Focus on vendor management and month-end close experience to position yourself.
Learning an ERP system or AP automation tool is the fastest way to increase your market value without changing roles.
Temp-to-hire AP roles are common in Dallas and often convert to permanent positions with benefits within 90 days.
Check Your Salary →
For Employers
Posting below $52,412 for an AP specialist in Dallas will result in a thin candidate pool. Most experienced specialists know their market value.
If you need multi-entity or high-volume experience, budget at or above the 75th percentile ($68,260). These candidates have options.
AP automation skills are increasingly non-negotiable. Offering training on your platform can be a competitive differentiator in your offer.
Temp staffing for AP during month-end, quarter-close, or 1099 season can relieve pressure without committing to a full-time hire.
Download the Full Salary Guide →
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Related North Texas Salaries
Salary data current as of February 2026. Source: PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. Salary ranges reflect the 25th to 75th percentile for the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area. National data: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024. Skills premium estimates per salary guide footnotes and PrideStaff Financial recruiter placement data across the North Texas market. Individual compensation varies based on employer, experience, certifications, and negotiation.
