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CPA Salary in Nashville, Tennessee

Updated 2026-04-05BLS 2024 data — be the first to add a local report

Salary Distribution

BLS 2024
$83,874/ year

Median CPA in Nashville, TN

$48,216
10th
$58,800
25th
$83,874
Median
$115,500
75th
$140,910
90th

Compensation Breakdown

BLS 2024
Base salary (median)
$83,874
Total compensation (est.)
$96,455
Bonus range
$2,800 – $13,200
Mean salary
$88,906

How This Compares

Nashville, TN median
$83,874
Tennessee median
$81,478+2.9%
National median
$79,880+5.0%

Cost of living in Nashville is 5% above the national average. Salary of $83,874 here is equivalent to $79,880 nationally.

Salary by Experience

0-2 years
$60,389-28.0%
3-5 years
$76,325-9.0%
6-10 years
$93,939+12.0%
10+ years
$115,746+38.0%

Salary by Company Size

Startup (< 100 employees)
$73,809-12.0%
Mid-size (100–5,000)
$83,874
Enterprise (5,000+)
$98,971+18.0%

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CPA Salaries in Nearby Cities

Memphis, TN$64,703/yr
Knoxville, TN$79,880/yr
Chattanooga, TN$79,880/yr
Clarksville, TN$79,880/yr

Related Jobs in Nashville

Financial Analyst$103,961/yr
Accountant$83,874/yr
Investment Banker$103,961/yr
Financial Advisor$104,559/yr
Actuary$126,000/yr

Quick Numbers

Hourly (40hr week)$40/hr
Monthly gross$6,990/mo
25th percentile$58,800/yr
75th percentile$115,500/yr

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Market Context

via FRED

Fed Funds Rate

Mar 2026

3.64%

Inflation (CPI)

year-over-year

2.4%+0.04

National Unemployment

Mar 2026

4.3%-0.10

Tennessee Unemployment

Dec 2025

3.6%

Avg Hourly Earnings

all private workers

$37.38+$0.09

10yr Treasury

Apr 2026

4.31%

Source: St. Louis Fed (FRED). Updated daily.

CPA Salaries by City

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average CPA salary in Nashville?

The median CPA salary in Nashville is $83,874 per year, with a range from $58,800 at the 25th percentile to $115,500 at the 75th percentile. Total compensation including bonuses typically runs higher — see the breakdown above for the full picture.

How does CPA pay in Nashville compare to the national average?

CPA salaries in Nashville are 5% above the national median of $79,880. After adjusting for Nashville's cost of living, the purchasing power of that salary is equivalent to roughly $79,880 nationally — which is the number that actually matters when comparing offers across cities.

What factors affect CPA salaries in Nashville?

In Nashville, the biggest drivers are years of experience, company size, and industry vertical. Entry-level CPA roles start around $48,216, while senior and staff-level positions at larger employers can reach $140,910 or above. Specialized skills and in-demand tools can also meaningfully shift where you land in the range.

Is Nashville a good place for CPA jobs?

Nashville offers a CPA median of $83,874, which is 5% above the US median of $79,880. Whether that makes it a good market depends on your personal cost-of-living equation — Nashville is 5% more expensive than the national average, so factor that into your math.

How do I negotiate a higher CPA salary?

Start with the data on this page: the 75th percentile for CPA in Nashville is $115,500, which is a defensible anchor for a negotiation. Come in with a specific number backed by real market data — not a range — and reference your experience tier. If you're above the median, ask for the 75th percentile. If you're already at the 75th, push for total comp improvements like equity or bonus instead.