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2026 North Texas Salary Data
How Much Do Entry-Level Accountants Make in Dallas?
Entry-level accountants in Dallas earn a median salary of $69,620 in 2026, with most falling between $62,017 and $77,223 depending on degree, internship experience, and industry.
Check Your SalaryDallas-Fort Worth Median
$69,620
Entry-Level Accountant
25th Pctl$62,017
75th Pctl$77,223
PrideStaff Financial 2026 North Texas Salary Guide
Salary Breakdown
Entry-Level Accountant Salary by Career Level
Entry-level accountant is the starting point for the general accounting career path. Here's how salary grows from your first role through staff and senior positions in Dallas-Fort Worth.
An entry-level accountant in Dallas typically earns between $62,017 and $77,223 per year. The median of $69,620 is the starting point for a career path that quickly progresses to staff accountant at $79,619 and eventually senior accountant at $101,622. That represents roughly $32,000 in salary growth from entry level to senior for accountants who build their skills and pursue a CPA. Most entry-level accountants in the DFW area are recent graduates or career changers with 0-2 years of experience, working at firms across Addison, Carrollton, and the broader North Dallas corridor.
What Drives Pay
Factors That Affect Entry-Level Accountant Salary in Dallas
Four factors determine where a new accountant falls within the $62K to $77K range.
Education & Internships
- A bachelor's degree in accounting is the baseline. Graduates from UT Dallas, UTA, or UNT with strong GPAs start closer to the median.
- Relevant internship experience (even one semester) can add $3,000-$5,000 to a starting offer
- Candidates with 150 credit hours who are CPA-eligible are more attractive to employers, even before passing the exam
Industry
- Public accounting firms in Dallas typically start entry-level accountants near the 25th percentile but offer faster advancement
- Corporate accounting roles at energy, technology, and financial services companies pay toward the 75th percentile
- Nonprofit and government positions pay less but often provide stronger benefits and work-life balance
Software Skills
- Proficiency in Excel (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, basic macros) is expected and will hurt you if missing
- Experience with any ERP system (QuickBooks, Sage, NetSuite, SAP) gives you an edge over other entry-level candidates
- Familiarity with data tools like Power BI or Tableau is increasingly valued, even at the entry level
CPA Track
- Entry-level accountants actively pursuing a CPA earn more than those who are not, even before passing
- Many Dallas employers offer CPA exam reimbursement and study time as part of the compensation package
- Completing even one section of the CPA exam signals commitment and can accelerate your first promotion
Dallas vs. National
How Dallas Entry-Level Accountant Pay Compares
Dallas is a strong market for new accountants, offering competitive starting salaries with no state income tax.
Dallas-Fort Worth Median
$69,620
Entry-Level Accountant
National Median (BLS)
$81,680
Accountants & Auditors
The BLS "Accountants & Auditors" category includes all experience levels, which pushes the national median higher. A true entry-level-only comparison would show Dallas starting salaries on par with or above most major metros, especially after factoring in Texas's no-state-income-tax advantage.
For a new accountant, starting in Dallas means keeping more of every paycheck from day one. Texas has no state income tax, adding 5-7% in effective take-home pay compared to peers in California, New York, or Illinois. Combined with DFW's lower cost of living relative to coastal cities, an entry-level salary of $69,620 in Dallas goes further than $75,000+ in San Francisco or Manhattan. That financial head start compounds over the early years of your career.
Boost Your Earning Potential
Skills That Increase Entry-Level Accountant Pay in Dallas
These skills help entry-level accountants stand out in the Dallas market and command offers at the higher end of the range.
CPA Eligibility (150 hrs)
+5-10%
ERP Experience
+5-15%
Advanced Excel
+5-10%
Internship Experience
+$3-5K
Power BI / Tableau
+5-10%
Public Accounting Exp.
+5-10%
Source: 2026 North Texas Salary Guide. Technical premiums: "Advanced Excel, Power BI, SQL, Adaptive, NetSuite, or system implementation experience may command 5-15% premiums." CPA and internship premiums based on PrideStaff Financial recruiter placement data for entry-level accounting roles across the North Texas market.
Put This Data to Work
How to Use This Salary Data
Whether you're starting your accounting career or hiring new graduates, here's how to put these numbers to work.
For Job Seekers
If you're a recent accounting graduate, target $69,620 as your baseline. With an internship and CPA eligibility, you should be pushing toward $77,223.
Don't focus only on starting salary. The jump from entry level to staff accountant ($79,619) happens in 1-2 years at most Dallas companies. Early career growth matters more than optimizing your first offer by $2,000.
If you're career-changing into accounting, temporary and contract assignments let you build real accounting experience quickly, even without a traditional accounting background.
Temp-to-hire roles are one of the fastest paths into entry-level accounting at companies that might not have open positions posted publicly.
Check Your Salary →
For Employers
The accounting talent pipeline is shrinking. With a 33% drop in new CPA candidates and 340,000 national accountant gap, even entry-level candidates have options. Posting below $62,017 will limit your applicant pool significantly.
Entry-level accountants who feel underpaid leave within 12-18 months. Paying at the median from day one improves retention and reduces the cost of re-hiring and retraining.
Consider what you're really paying for at this level: a CPA-eligible candidate with an internship and ERP skills is worth more than a generic hire at the 25th percentile who needs months of training.
Temp-to-hire is ideal for entry-level accounting hires. You can evaluate work quality and cultural fit before committing to a permanent offer.
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.
